Legal Definitions - paternity

Paternity (p-t-r-ni-tee) refers to the state or condition of being a father, especially a biological one. It is also known as fatherhood.

For example, when a man is confirmed to be the biological father of a child, he has established paternity. This means he has legal rights and responsibilities towards the child, such as providing financial support and making decisions about their upbringing.

Another example of paternity is when a man claims to be the father of a child but it is not yet confirmed. In this case, he may need to undergo a paternity test to determine if he is indeed the biological father.

Paternity is an important concept in family law and has significant implications for both fathers and children.