Texas Adjudicate Parentage Proceedings Can Determine If an Individual Is a Child's Parent
What Is Adjudicating Parentage in Texas?
Usually, it is pretty clear who a child's parents are - but not always. Sometimes, it takes a court to make the final determination of the identity of one of a child's parents. Texas Adjudicate Parentage Proceedings can be used to determine the identity of the child's parents. The Uniform Parentage Act (Texas Family Code Chapter 160, sections 160.601-160.636) provides the procedures for filing an Adjudicate Parentage action.
Who Can File for Adjudication of Parentage in Texas?
- Adjudicate Parentage actions to be can be filed by a representative;
- A man whose paternity is to be determined;
- The child's mother;
- Support enforcement agencies;
- Adoption and child placement agencies;
- Parents of a child born by assisted reproduction; and
- The representatives of any deceased individual who could have brought an Adjudicate Parentage action while living.
What Is the Process for Filing for Adjudication of Parentage in Texas?
Typically, the first step in filing an Adjudication of Parentage action is to submit a completed Petition to Adjudicate Parentage with the appropriate court. There are several qualifications for the time period that an individual can bring Adjudicate Parentage Action. You can find out more information about the time limits on the Texas Statutes website.
Once they receive the petition, the other parties will then have to respond to the request.
The Judge Will Make the Final Determination
The final step will be a hearing before a judge (not a jury).
Furthermore, the judge will review the evidence and history of the relationship between the parties. It is common in Adjudicate Parentage proceedings for courts to consider the results of genetic testing. However, the judge makes the final determination on whether to consider the results of genetic testing.
When the Court issues an Adjudicate Parentage order, the person considered to be a child's parent will obtain all the rights and responsibilities of being a parent. Furthermore, this includes child custody, child support, and visitation. The judge can also decide to issue an order that explicitly details the rights and responsibilities gained by the newly adjudicated parent.
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