Paternity Test – Combating Paternity Fraud
Paternity fraud is a serious issue, but it’s an area where a paternity test can help.
Paternity fraud isn’t new, but it is becoming more of an issue as fathers are chased by child support organisations to provide maintenance for children following the breakup of a marriage or relationship. A man identified by a paternity test as the father of one or more children is required to give up a proportion of his income to support them. If, at a later date, he discovers that one or more of these children are not his, what does he do?
Why paternity tests can help
Where there is any doubt over paternity it’s worth getting a paternity test. Positive proof of paternity one way or another will help a court or a collections agency decide how best to deal with support payments for children involved in the dispute. For some, these paternity doubts come as soon as the child is born or even when it is conceived, for others years may pass before it emerges that the children belong to another man.
Undergoing a paternity test as early as possible can have many benefits including:
- Certain knowledge – knowing for certain whether or not you are the father of the child. A negative test should mean that you no longer have to pay maintenance for the child and you may even get part of your past payments refunded; a positive result enables you to be absolutely sure about your relationship to the child, so that you are able to fully participate in its welfare.
- Legal acceptance – even if you obtain a paternity test for peace of mind, it’s worth using an accredited testing company because only results from an accredited tester are admissible in court. If you want to use the results of your paternity test in a legal argument make sure you use an approved testing body, and an independent medical professional to take your sample, or you may have to pay for a re-test.
Why paternity fraud exists
A mother who names you as the father of one or more of her children when you are not, is likely to be manipulating the system in order to claim additional financial support, which is fraud. The child support and welfare system, which dates back to the 16th century, encourages mothers to do whatever they can in order to support their children. The major difference between paternity fraud and other types of fraud is the emotional tie-in that fathers have to their children - paternity tests are never just about the money, they are also about the relationship between father and child. A paternity test helps to ensure that this system is not abused. |
