Establishing Paternity

[MNDad01]

What is the name of your state? Rice County, MN

I am typing this under my friend's name.

My girlfriend told me she was pregnant, and she had the baby in March. We broke up a couple months ago and I do not know if the baby is in fact mine. Baby is in the hospital and may be there for several months due to underdeveloped lungs. I don't want to sign an ROP because I am unsure if the baby is mine, but I would like to get a paternity test done so that I can find out if the baby is mine. I don't want to wait several months until the child support papers arrive and offer me the option of getting a paternity test. How do I get the court to order a paternity test without having to wait until child support orders are entered?

 

[Isis1]

you can open your own family case at the family court in the county the child resides in to peition for a paternity test. just keep in mind, it still won't happen overnight. and depending on the courthouse, it will less likely take less then a month. (there are timeline rules to follow) so bet on it taking a few months anyway. either way a case will have to be opened whether you go with a Child Support Agency or with the family court.

 

[LdiJ]

you can open your own family case at the family court in the county the child resides in to peition for a paternity test. just keep in mind, it still won't happen overnight. and depending on the courthouse, it will less likely take less then a month. (there are timeline rules to follow) so bet on it taking a few months anyway. either way a case will have to be opened whether you go with a Child Support Agency or with the family court.

Also, keep in mind that the hospital/doctors may not be cooperative with a paternity test at this point. In a way, they kind of have the final say if it effects the baby's medical condition. It probably would not...but with a premmie, all bets are off.

I have a friend whose ex and he were in complete agreement about a paternity test and it end up being delayed several weeks because the doctors caring for their premmie child delayed it happening.

 

[Isis1]

Also, keep in mind that the hospital/doctors may not be cooperative with a paternity test at this point. In a way, they kind of have the final say if it effects the baby's medical condition. It probably would not...but with a premmie, all bets are off.

I have a friend whose ex and he were in complete agreement about a paternity test and it end up being delayed several weeks because the doctors caring for their premmie child delayed it happening.

just out of curiousity, why would a doctor have concerns about a DNA test harming a premmie? it was my understand (i could and am probaby wrong) but only a swab is really necessary, not even blood needed.

 

[LdiJ]

just out of curiousity, why would a doctor have concerns about a DNA test harming a premmie? it was my understand (i could and am probaby wrong) but only a swab is really necessary, not even blood needed.

I honestly don't know. I just know that in that particular case the doctors put off the whole thing.