What does it mean to establish paternity?
To establish paternity means that you become the legal father of the child. With that finding comes rights. You have rights for time-sharing. You have rights for parental responsibility. You have a right to receive or an obligation to send child support, depending upon the situation. You’re also granted the rights regarding the child, should something happen to the mother or the other parent in that situation, you become that remaining surviving parent responsible for the child. That includes with it certain social security rights as well. Once you decide to make that commitment towards paternity, you’re going to be able to become that child’s father for life.
