Sometimes in courtrooms, cases come in, where it’s not certain who the father of a child is. In such cases, a DNA paternity test is used as an effective solution to identify the birth parents. With this research, you can prove that there is a parenting relationship between father and child.
But now the biggest questions are – how does a paternity test work? When do you perform it? And what’s the science behind it? In today’s blog we are going to talk about the paternity test in detail. We will explore this topic from depth, covering a variety of aspects of this aspect. So without any further delay, let’s dive straight in!
What Is A DNA Paternity Test?
DNA paternity tests are becoming more and more common. Paternity testing is performed by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Both techniques are generally performed by an expert gynecologist. DNA paternity test comes with minimal risk of miscarriage, less than 1 to 2%. Miscarriage is a very rare case, with modern technology available today.
A paternity test, also popularly known as a DNA test, allows you to determine whether someone is the biological father of a child. This can be done both during pregnancy and after childbirth. The test can provide clarity if you are not sure who the father is. Also, if the father doubts or denies that the baby is his, this examination can help. You can do a paternity test with a doctor or even with a home test.
How Does A Paternity Test Work?
For the examination, you need DNA from the father and from the baby. To do this, scrape along the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab. You then send this to the laboratory. That way, a lab technician can examine your DNA. You do the same with the baby.
Your DNA is compared with each other. This way, you can see if you are related to each other. The test shows how many points your DNA matches. Based on that, you can see if you are the father or not. You can usually choose how many points you have the DNA examined at. The more points, the clearer the result.
Paternity Test During Pregnancy
You can also take a paternity test during pregnancy. That’s what you call a prenatal DNA test. For this, a doctor examines the mother’s blood. This also contains DNA from the baby. You must have your blood pricked by the doctor or midwife. A prenatal examination is possible from about 8 weeks of pregnancy. The costs are not reimbursed by your health insurance.
How Reliable Is A Paternity Test?
How reliable a paternity test depends on where you take it. On the Internet, you can find all kinds of companies that offer DNA research. These are not always reliable. In addition, not every company handles your privacy well.
Are you considering a paternity test? Then ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If the test goes through the courts, there are sometimes parties with whom the court has good contact. Do you take a test through a reliable company or a doctor? Then the result is up to 99.9% reliable. You can then assume that the result is correct.
Consequences Of The Paternity Test
When paternity is established by the court, it affects the legal relationship with the child. The father must contribute to the education of your child (becomes liable for maintenance), and your child inherits from him and can get his name. If you have a foreign nationality as a mother, but the father is French, your child will also receive French nationality.
Children who don’t know who their father is can have a hard time with that when they get a little older. It can make children feel unsafe or insecure if they don’t know where they’re coming from. Attachment is important for babies. It is wise to also think about this when determining paternity or acknowledging it.
When Is A Paternity Test Necessary?
In short, a paternity test is needed when it is not certain whether a man is the father of a child. This can reassure you if you have any doubts about this. You can order a test via the Internet and perform it at home.
Sometimes you need a paternity test for a court case. Then you should have it done by a doctor or nurse. How this works depends on whether you are the father, the mother or the child.
The Mother Requests A Test
As a mother, you can have the judge do a DNA test. You do this when you know who the father of your child is, but he refuses to acknowledge the baby. You can request a test until your child is five years old.
Does the research prove paternity? Then that has consequences for the father. For example, he must pay alimony. Also, the child can inherit from him. In addition, your child may receive the name and nationality of his father.
The Child Requests A Test
Your child always has a right to know who his father is. He can, therefore, always submit a request to the court to take a paternity test. If the possible father refuses, the judge can force him to do so.
The Father Requests A Test
Are you a father, but the mother refuses to acknowledge your parenting? You cannot then apply for a paternity test in court. However, you can submit a replacement request for special recognition.
You then ask the court to legally appoint you as a father. You need a lawyer for this. Is your child a minor? Then a curator is also needed. This is someone who ensures that your child gets what he needs. Children over the age of 12 are given a say in the judge’s decision.
The judge can order a DNA test, but that doesn’t always happen. If you can prove that you are the father, it is not necessary to perform a paternity test. Do you get ‘special recognition’? Then you legally become the father of the child.
Final Words
Although the outcome of a paternity test is usually reliable, it can actually influence the outcome due to some factors. If you have doubts and decide to perform the paternity test, you will definitely have to perform it in a reliable laboratory. In this blog, it is clearly explained how the paternity test works and what the costs distract.
