Define: Putative Father

Putative Father
Putative Father
Quick Summary of Putative Father

Putative father: A man who is suspected to be the father of a child, but his paternity has not been legally determined. This implies that he has not been officially recognized as the biological father through DNA testing or other legal procedures.

Full Definition Of Putative Father

A putative father is a man who is believed to be the biological father of a child, but his paternity has not been legally confirmed. For instance, if an unmarried woman has a child and identifies a man as the father, he may be considered a putative father until a DNA test or legal determination of paternity is conducted. Putative fathers may have restricted legal rights and responsibilities until their paternity is established. This may involve visitation rights, child support obligations, and the authority to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing.

Putative Father FAQ'S

A putative father is a man who is alleged to be the biological father of a child but has not yet been legally established as the child’s father.

Paternity can be determined through DNA testing, which compares the genetic material of the putative father with that of the child.

Yes, once paternity is established, a putative father can have legal rights and responsibilities towards the child, including custody, visitation, and child support obligations.

Yes, a putative father can voluntarily relinquish his parental rights through a legal process known as a “voluntary termination of parental rights.”

Yes, if paternity is established and the putative father is determined to be the biological father, he can be legally obligated to pay child support.

Yes, a putative father can contest paternity by challenging the results of a DNA test or presenting evidence that he is not the biological father.

Yes, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the child, a putative father can seek custody rights through the court system.

In certain circumstances, such as if the court determines that visitation with the putative father would be harmful to the child, visitation rights can be denied.

If it is determined that the putative father is not the biological father, he may not be required to provide financial support. However, this can vary depending on the specific laws of the jurisdiction.

In most cases, once a child has been legally adopted, the putative father’s ability to establish paternity and gain parental rights is significantly limited. However, it is advisable to consult with a family law attorney to understand the specific laws and options available in your jurisdiction.

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Disclaimer

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.

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