When children are born to parents who aren't married, the legal relationship between a father and his child doesn't exist automatically. Establishing paternity — legal parentage — is the foundation for everything that follows: custody, visitation, child support, and a child's right to know and be supported by both parents.

I work with non-married parents throughout Sonoma County to establish paternity and resolve the issues that come with it. In many cases, that process doesn't have to play out in a courtroom.

Until paternity is legally established, a father has no enforceable rights to custody or visitation — and no legal obligation to pay child support. Once parentage is confirmed, the legal picture changes for everyone involved.

A paternity determination opens the door to setting a custody arrangement, a parenting plan, and a child support order that can be enforced by either parent. It also gives a child legal access to benefits through both parents — health insurance, inheritance rights, and the knowledge of where they come from.

When both parents agree on paternity and want to work out the custody and support details cooperatively, mediation is often the right path. Rather than going to court and having a judge set the terms, both parents can work with me to reach agreements that fit their actual situation — their schedules, their finances, their children's needs.

The result is a parenting plan and support agreement that both parties had a hand in creating. Those agreements tend to hold up better over time, and they set a more constructive foundation for co-parenting than a courtroom battle does.

If paternity itself is disputed — meaning one party denies being a parent — the process typically involves genetic testing and may require court involvement. I can help you understand the legal process, your rights, and what steps make sense given your circumstances.

As a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law with 25+ years of experience, I understand every aspect of paternity law and can guide you through it, whether the resolution happens through mediation or through the courts.

If you have questions about establishing paternity or working out custody and support for a child born outside of marriage, call (707) 525-8800 or email Tidwell@perrylaw.net. The initial consultation is free and confidential.