Paternity laws determine who is legally recognized as a child’s father — and with that recognition comes rights and responsibilities. Establishing or disputing paternity affects custody, visitation, child support, inheritance, and even medical decision-making. Many parents are unaware of the full scope of their rights under state and federal law. This course provides a step-by-step roadmap for navigating paternity issues: establishing parentage, asserting custody or visitation, disputing false claims, and protecting both parents’ and children’s legal interests. By the end, learners will understand exactly how to secure or challenge parental rights and responsibilities under paternity law.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand how paternity is legally established and disputed.
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Recognize the rights and responsibilities that come with legal paternity.
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Navigate genetic testing and court procedures.
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Assert custody, visitation, and support rights once paternity is established.
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Handle disputes over mistaken or fraudulent paternity claims.
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Understand how paternity affects inheritance, benefits, and medical decisions.
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Protect parental rights against interference or termination.
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Build strategies for cooperative co-parenting under the law.
