Paternity Lawyer
Paternity is the legal status of fatherhood. A child's biological father does not necessarily have legal parenting rights or legal responsibilities toward the child until paternity has been established.
Establishing paternity can be a difficult process without a legal advocate by your side.
Our board-certified paternity lawyers can protect your child's best interests.
“I highly recommend David!”
“I went to David to handle my divorce. He took what seemed complicated and certain to drag on, resolving it quickly and cleanly. His staff was a pleasure to work with. I have since referred numerous friends to his firm. highly recommend!”
– Jeff, 5-Star Review
The Many Benefits Of Establishing Paternity
Access to Child Support
Until the courts declare a man the legal father of a child, it is difficult to require him to pay child support, whether the parents were never married or are divorced.
Custody and Visitation Rights
A biological father will have difficulty achieving legal custody or fair visitation rights if he is not recognized as the legal father.
Knowledge of Medical History
In cases where the identity of the biological father is unclear, court-ordered DNA tests can prove fatherhood and give children access to important medical information.
Insurance and Other Benefits
A child cannot access their father's benefits such as health insurance, social security, and inheritance until legal fatherhood has been established.
Emotional Advantages
Paternity allows fathers to enjoy a relationship with their children, have a hand in the child's upbringing, and bond with the child.
Why Hire a Lawyer?
Unfortunately, disputes involving a question of fatherhood are often complex and quite difficult to resolve in an amicable way. In some instances, a man believed to be the father of a child may not wish to become responsible for paying child support, and therefore refuse to cooperate in any effort to resolve paternity issues. In others, a mother may not want a man believed to be the father of a child to have a relationship with that child.
A paternity lawyer can handle the legalities of your case and work toward an outcome that serves the best interests of the child. This allows you to cope with the stress of these disputes without the added challenge of navigating the legal system on your own. More importantly, a lawyer's knowledge of the laws pertaining to these disputes can greatly improve the chances that the child's best interests will be protected.
Whether your needs are related to a divorce, an adoption, a custody or visitation dispute, the need to collect financial support, or the need to eliminate the obligation to pay support, a paternity lawyer can help. David L. Cook and Donna J. Smiedt are Board-Certified Family Law Attorneys by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Talk to Our Paternity Lawyers
Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division in Southlake and Arlington, TX, has been handling family law cases for clients throughout Greater Dallas-Fort Worth for decades. With practice areas including divorce, child custody, and child support, our team of family law attorneys has extensive knowledge of every facet of Texas family law, and they can apply this focus to paternity issues.
When it comes time to pursue legal action in establishing paternity, you should seek a lawyer who will handle the proceedings with sensitivity and compassion. David Cook and John Clark understand that family law cases can be highly stressful and emotional, and our team strives to make every case as easy and conflict-free for clients as possible.
If the legal fatherhood of your child is in dispute for any reason, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our attorneys at our Arlington office today. We serve clients throughout Southlake and Mansfield. You can schedule a consultation by booking online or by calling
“Divorce is a challenging life experience and you want someone who is honest and experienced to represent you. Harris Cook LLP was just that for me, it was a lot of unknowns that they guided me through and help me achieve the best possible outcome. Though no Divorce was my hope and may be yours as well, your in good hands if you select Harris Cook LLP.”
– Michael, 5-Star Review
How Is Paternity Established?
At Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division in Southlake and Arlington, TX, we help both fathers and mothers throughout greater Dallas-Fort Worth establish the legal fatherhood of a child. Paternity can be established in a number of ways:
David Cook and John Clark can exhaust every potential method of proving paternity.
More Key Paternity Info
Paternity Can Be Terminated
When a man is declared a child's legal father, but does not believe he is the child's biological father, he can file a petition to have his paternity terminated.
Forms Can Be Rescinded
If you sign a form establishing legal fatherhood, but change your mind later, Texas law allows you to submit a rescission form within 60 days of the acknowledgment being filed.
Right to an Attorney
In Texas, mothers, fathers, and alleged fathers all have the right to be represented by a lawyer during the court proceedings of a paternity case.
Contact Our Paternity Lawyers Today
Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division in Arlington, TX, has helped many clients throughout greater Dallas-Fort Worth navigate complex family law cases in which the establishment of legal fatherhood is crucial. Every case comes with its own set of circumstances, and our team is prepared to meet your needs. Let us help with your case today. For more information about what to expect and how to get started, contact our Arlington practice online or call us at
Arlington Leaves Many 5-Star Reviews
Linda Olson
Arlington, TX
2023
This is one of the very best law firms in town!!! The whole team worked to help my situation and were very successful. Very passionate and compassionate. Went out of their way to help and went above and beyond what anyone could have ever expected!!! I will HIGHLY recommend!
View on GoogleHenry T.
Arlington, TX
2023
Donna was absolutely amazing. Not only was she professional and knowledgeable she took the time to make sure I understood everything. Her paralegal was wonderful to work with as well. They are a great team. They got back to me on everything promptly. I could not thank them both enough. I will highly recommend them to my family and friends.
View on this sitePaternity Issues and Divorce
As lawyers exclusively focused on family law who frequently handle divorce cases, the attorneys at Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division know how questions of legal and biological fatherhood can affect divorce proceedings. Paternity cases can often have a powerful influence on the outcome of cases involving child custody, child support, visitation rights, and more.
Questions of fatherhood can also arise after a divorce. For example, a man may be paying child support for a child he doesn't believe is biologically his, or a woman might share custody with a man she does not believe to be the father.
At our family law firm, our attorneys assist clients throughout greater Dallas-Fort Worth in all types of paternity cases, including:
- Mothers proving legal fatherhood to receive child support
- Fathers proving legal fatherhood to receive visitation rights
- Men disproving legal fatherhood to avoid unjust child support
- Divorcing couples determining legal fatherhood as it pertains to a divorce settlement
Dealing With Mistaken Paternity
It can be devastating to find out the child you thought was yours may not be. After having this suspicion raised, it is totally understandable to no longer want the legal parent-child relationship you have had. Terminating this relationship will result in any future child support obligations being eliminated.
If you want to prove you are not the father, our attorneys can help you follow all guidelines laid out by the Attorney General of Texas for doing so. First, we can ensure you receive genetic testing from a lab that is certified by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies. Any test not from a certified lab will not count in court.
If the test comes back with the results you suspect, we can file a petition to end the parent-child relationship, make sure you meet all requirements at the pre-trial hearing, and represent you through the conclusion of this ordeal.
Regardless of Your Specific Need Our Law Firm Is Here to Help
Our paternity attorneys, David Cook and John A. Clark, made family law the focus of their careers because they wanted to provide the skilled, compassionate representation that all parents and children deserve. For decades, they have done just that.
At our office, you will not be dealing with jaded attorneys. You will be working with paternity attorneys who understand the toll of heartbreak and how best to help clients through any issue with paternity, child custody, and child support.
817-572-9900
Frequently Asked Questions
What does legal representation for a paternity case cost?
Costs vary based on several factors. David Cook, John A. Clark, and their team of lawyers care about every client who enters our Arlington office, and they understand that cost is a concern. For more information on the cost of professional representation, contact us online or give us a call at 817-572-9900.
Is establishing legal fatherhood alone enough for me to be awarded child custody?
Not necessarily. Custody disputes involve many factors, not just proof of biological fatherhood. Other factors taken into account by the courts include the ability to support a child, any history of irresponsible behavior, mental health, and more. Fortunately, our attorneys serving greater Dallas-Fort Worth handle issues of child custody as well, and will fight for an outcome that serves your child's best interests.
Do I really need an attorney?
You are always free to represent yourself in any family law case. However, a dedicated family law attorney can use legal expertise to ensure that your best interests and those of your child are being protected.
