Paternity

In Pennsylvania, paternity can be acknowledged by a party’s actions or by written acknowledgement.

 

Once paternity has been acknowledged, it is very difficult to later contest paternity. If a child is born to a married woman, her spouse is assumed to be the child’s father, but he can contest that presumption in some circumstances. If paternity is in question, it is best to challenge paternity prior to acknowledgement.

 

In Pennsylvania, courts utilize DNA testing to establish paternity. Challenges to paternity may not be allowed if a party has acted in certain ways.