How would you like to learn that the son or daughter you loved and supported since birth is not your biological child? That’s been the unfortunate experience for far too many men.
Learning that your child is not actually your biological issue is a life-changing moment. On one hand, nothing has changed because you are still your child’s father. But on the other hand, everything that you thought was true has proven false. It can be quite unmooring.
What can you do to prevent this situation?
Get a paternity test done immediately after learning of your alleged child’s birth. This is important because it prevents you from becoming overly invested in a child’s welfare when the child isn’t biologically yours. Depending on the circumstances, some men may be able to embrace another man’s child without reservation. But they should make that decision themselves.
However, some will not, and it’s far better for all concerned to learn this now. If the big reveal comes months or years after the birth, it can be quite painful for all the parties at that point. Why not avoid such a mess by taking a paternity test?
Other reasons to take DNA tests
If the child were truly yours, you would want them to have all the benefits of being your son or daughter, right? Well, a paternity test establishes that for posterity. It opens the door to benefits and support for the child should their parent die or become incapacitated.
It also gives the biological parent full permission to invest in the life of their child, fully knowing that the child is related to them and their family of origin. There will be no unpleasant surprises later from a big DNA reveal.
You may need the court to order testing
If you are unsure about the true parentage of a child, you may need to petition the family law court to submit samples from the child to compare with your DNA profile.
