Paternity Test –It’s a Grandparent Thing
There are various reasons grandparents may become involved in paternity tests, even taking tests themselves to set their minds at rest about the parentage of alleged grandchildren. Experts are in agreement that grandparents have a lot to contribute to the welfare of grandchildren so it’s no surprisie that many of them go to such lengths to determine their rights.
Absent father
In cases where the father has chosen not to accept responsibility for a child the grandparents may decide that they still wish to be involved, or at least to see the child or children on a regular basis. This can be awkward since the relationship between the mother and the grandparents may be influenced by the absence of the father. If the mother claims that the absent father is not biologically related to the child the grandparents may wish to take a test themselves, which, although not as accurate as a paternity test, can still show a significant likelihood of a relationship.
Deceased father
There are cases where the biological father has died and the grandparents are the closest remaining contact on his side of the family. Where paternity has been in dispute a court may order that the grandparents undergo DNA testing to show whether or not there is a biological relationship with the child. This can be important if the grandparents request access to the child.
Grandparental tests can also establish the identity of the father since, once a biological relationship has been established between grandparent and grandchild, the father of the child must be a child of the grandparents. If fatherhood is disputed between brothers the grandparental test will not be able to distinguish between them, but if there is only one son the test will be enough to prove that he is the father. |
