Melinda Weerts Law, PLLC Family & Divorce Law
To talk to an experienced family law attorney about your case,
please call our Fargo office at 701-297-2234

Finding Positive Solutions For Your
Family Law Concerns

Assisting With The Determinations Of Paternity

With more and more babies being born to parents who aren’t married, the issue of paternity is one that needs to be addressed. Whether you are a father who is not married to your child’s mother and want to establish your rights, or whether you are a mother seeking child support from the child’s father, if you have had a child and you are not married, certain laws apply specifically to you.

Children typically thrive when they have both parents in their lives — each child deserves time and financial support from each parent. At Melinda Weerts Law, PLLC, located in Fargo, North Dakota and also serving Moorhead, Minnesota, we work for the good of your child, and your child’s future.

The Laws Regarding Paternity In North Dakota And Minnesota

Mother or father, the laws are clear on how and when the paternity of a child is determined, and they vary by state. In North Dakota, there are four ways paternity can be established if:

  • A man openly holds himself out as the child’s father.
  • The child was born during a marriage, or within 300 days after the end of a marriage.
  • The father signed an acknowledgment of paternity.
  • DNA testing shows the probability of paternity is 99% or more.

In contrast, Minnesota’s laws are somewhat different. They provide for establishment of paternity if:

  • A man openly holds himself out as the child’s father.
  • The child was born during a marriage or within 280 days of the end of a marriage.
  • DNA testing shows the probability of paternity is 99% or more.
  • The man voluntarily registers his paternity with the Minnesota State Registrar of Vital Statistics.
  • The man agrees to be named the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate.
  • The man has made a voluntary promise to support the child.
  • The court adjudicates him the father.

If paternity must be established, you should consult an attorney for advice in your specific situation. Our lawyers will help you understand your rights and obligations, and protect your rights throughout the process.

Learn More About Your Options

To discuss your case with a member of our team, please call our Fargo office at 701-297-2234 or send us an email. We are licensed in both Minnesota and North Dakota, and represent clients throughout the Fargo-Moorhead region.