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SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation
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Paternity Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Ventura Paternity Attorneys

Fighting for Father's Rights in CA

California paternity cases are called actions to determine parental relationships to establish who the child’s legal father is. You might need to determine paternity in the event you and your partner were not married at the time your child was born. This will need to be established before the father is legally entitled to child custody, child support, or visitation rights. A father has no legal rights or responsibilities to care for his child until paternity has been determined.

As the mother of a child, you might want to establish paternity to obtain a child support order for your child. As the father of a child, you might want to establish paternity to solidify your parental rights. Regardless of the situation, you should speak with an experienced lawyer to help you understand your rights.

How Do You Establish Paternity in California?

You can establish paternity in California by signing a Declaration of Paternity or obtaining a court order. A Declaration of Paternity is a legal document signed voluntarily by both legal parents of the child. Typically, this is signed right after the child is born at the hospital.

If a father is unsure if a child is his, he has the right to ask the court for a paternity test. He should not sign the Declaration of Paternity until he knows the results of this test.

Why Would You Want to Establish Paternity?

The main reason for establishing paternity is to obtain custody of a child.

Additional benefits include:

  • The right to inherit from each parent
  • Gaining access to family medical history and records
  • Health insurance coverage from each parent

Who Can Request a Paternity Order Submission?

A paternity order request can also be submitted through California court. The individuals who can make this type of paternity request are as follows:

  • The child’s mother
  • The “alleged” father – the man who believes he is the father of the child
  • An adoption agency

What Happens if a Married Woman Gets Pregnant with Another Man’s Child?

If a married woman gets pregnant with another man’s child who is not her husband, paternity can get complicated. In California, if a child is born, the couple were married, and they were cohabiting at the time of conception and birth, a presumption arises that the child is a child of the marriage.

The presumption may be challenged within two years of the child’s birth upon application and genetic testing.

Turn to Our Ventura Paternity Lawyers with Your Questions

As you can see, marriage often trumps paternity in the state of California. If you have questions or concerns regarding the paternity of your child, or you need assistance establishing who the father is, contact our experienced lawyers today.

It is important to handle a paternity case as soon as the child is born as these types of cases take a significant amount of time to work through. Matters such as child custody, visitation, child support and financial issues must all be taken into consideration. Do not hesitate to call us today to get started on your case.

Contact us online or call us at (805) 222-7818 to book a consultation to discuss your paternity case. 

An Emphasis on Strong Family Values

Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:
  • Holistic Approach

    We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.

  • Collaboration

    Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.

  • Children Come First

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

  • Compassionate Legal Services

    We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

Our Satisfied Clients

Real Stories from Real People
  • “Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse.”

    Donna and her staff are highly experienced/knowledgeable with family law. My case was complicated by child custody and divorce issues. For several years, my ex sought to always try and bring me back to court for mundane issues. Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse. I highly recommend Donna to anybody needing a qualified legal professional with a heart.

    - J.T.
  • “She and her staff are professional with decades of experience.”

    I recommend Donna Santo and her staff. She and her staff are professional with decades of experience. They understand the law and how family law cases are heard in the courts. I had an extremely complex custody case with dozens of health professionals, collateral contacts, and opinions floating around. There were so many accusations, crisis, and charges; and every one of them felt extremely important to me. My concerns were serious, and the innumerable quantity along with counter accusations overwhelmed the courts. Donna's office was able to sift through and make sense of things to help get things on track. Donna's office took the time to relate this to the courts in a logical digestible manner for the best possible outcome. It took time. I needed to trust. She knows her stuff, and is strong at the right times.

    - Jason
  • “I recommend them”
    Never fun needing to hire a lawyer but Michael and Donna were great to work with and helped to make the process go smoothly. They were both easy to reach, offered clear advice, and were honest in all of their interactions. I recommend them if you find yourself in need of solid legal help.
    - Brian L.
  • “During an emotional and stressful trial, she was the voice of calm and reason.”
    “Donna Santo has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She evaluated the case and set a road map towards a realistic goal. Donna continuously deescalated personal issues and conflicts while keeping the focus on the welfare of the child involved.”
    - Eli G.
  • “I highly recommend Donna Santo and the Santo Mehas law firm.”
    “I highly recommend Donna Santo and the Santo Mehas law firm.”
    - John J.
  • “Working with Donna was refreshing.”
    “Working with Donna was refreshing.”
    - Daniel W.
  • “I recommend them with 5 stars”

    I have deep appreciation for my family law attorneys Donna Santo and Michael Mehas.  Thank you so much for your help in my highly complex divorce.   I have witnessed the great professionalism with which Donna defends me in Court.  And I appreciate the sincerity, loyalty and moral support that Michael provides to his clients.  He’s always ready to answer questions and take my calls.  I recommend them with 5 stars, as they are simply the best lawyers and family law firm in Ventura county.

    - Maria C.
  • “They are a tremendous blessing.”
    Hiring Santo Mehas Professional Law Firm, specifically Michael Mehas has been a tremendous blessing. Divorce and child custody is a very stressful, unpleasant and unpredictable experience and Mr. Mehas has been our sword and shield throughout the process. Without the support and guidance of his expertise, I’m not sure where my family would be. We are forever grateful to Mr. Mehas for fighting for us and we are very happy with the outcome of our case.
    - Lupe V.