Paternity and Legitimation

Atlanta, Georgia, Paternity, and Legitimation Lawyer

Creation of a legal father-child relationship can make a huge impact on the life of a child. Parents considering taking legal action regarding paternity or legitimation questions should talk to an experienced and well-qualified attorney. At The Law Offices of James S. Lewis, P.C., Jim Lewis is knowledgeable about these actions. In his comfortable downtown Atlanta office, he takes the time to talk with parents and to create solutions that work for them and their children.

What is paternity?

Children of married parents are legitimate as a matter of law. However, a child born out of wedlock has a “legal mother” as a matter of law, but does not have a “legal father.” A mother may bring a paternity action to establish a man as the biological father of a child under the law and get child support. Similarly, a biological father may petition to legitimate his child. These cases may be essentially uncontested, or they may create difficult and emotional issues between the parties. Issues of child support, child custody, parenting time or visitation nearly always arise in paternity and legitimation cases. Because a determination of paternity has such a profound and permanent impact on whole families, it is best to consider the guidance of an experienced attorney. Through the years, Jim Lewis has helped many families with paternity and legitimation actions. He is knowledgeable about the law, can answer your questions, and knows how to create solutions.

What is legitimation?

Legitimation is a legal action that a biological father can file to establish his parental rights with a child born out of wedlock. Just being named the biological father in a paternity test or signing a birth certificate does not necessarily create a legal father/child relationship. Only after he has legitimated his child may a biological father petition for custody, parenting time or visitation with his child, have his name added to the birth certificate, or have the child's last name changed to his own. This can make all the difference in the life of your child, and it is something every biological father who takes parenthood seriously should do. Talking to lawyer Jim Lewis can help you make the right decisions about legitimation under Georgia law.

Contact a Well-Qualified Attorney to Create Solutions for You and Your Child

When you are ready to take action, Jim Lewis can help you create solutions by filing a petition for paternity or to legitimate your child. Contact The Law Offices of James S. Lewis, P.C., at (770) 451-8786 to talk with Jim Lewis about how your needs can be met by a paternity or legitimation action.