Leander, TX Paternity Lawyers
HEMBREE BELL LAW FIRM
We protect your kids, your money, & your business.
Hembree Bell Law Firm's compassionate Leander paternity lawyers help Texas parents establish paternity through voluntary acknowledgment or court action, secure custody and visitation rights, pursue child support, and dispute false paternity claims with down-to-earth, straightforward legal guidance.
Key Takeaways:
Texas paternity can be established voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) when parents agree or through court action with DNA testing when parents disagree, but being named on the birth certificate doesn't automatically establish legal paternity for unmarried fathers.
Establishing paternity is necessary for fathers to exercise custody and visitation rights and for mothers to pursue child support, but custody arrangements and support payments are separate legal matters that require independent action after paternity is confirmed.
Men facing paternity allegations for children they don't believe they fathered can protect themselves through court-ordered DNA testing, ensuring they aren't held emotionally or financially responsible without conclusive biological proof of parentage.
If you’re in the middle of a paternity dispute, odds are your concerns reach far beyond simply the legal paperwork or court dates. If you're a dad fighting to be recognized as your child's father so you can actually be part of their life, every day without legal rights feels like time stolen. If you're a mom struggling to provide for your child alone while their father avoids responsibility, the financial and emotional burden weighs heavier with each passing month. On the other hand, you might be a man facing paternity claims for a child you genuinely don't believe is yours, the anxiety of potentially being trapped in a lifelong obligation based on someone else's word is overwhelming.
At Hembree Bell Law Firm, our Leander paternity lawyers get it. We've walked alongside parents in all of these situations, and we understand the stress, frustration, and fear that come with paternity disputes. We're not just here to file forms and show up for hearings—we're here to make sure you get real answers, that your voice is heard, and that this gets resolved as quickly and fairly as possible.
You shouldn't have to navigate this alone. Contact us today for your free case evaluation and let's figure out the best path forward together.
How Paternity Actually Works in Texas
Basically, if a woman is married when she gives birth, Texas automatically considers the husband the legal father. Done. No extra steps needed unless there's a disagreement.
But if the woman is not married? That's where things get more complicated, and extra steps must be taken to establish paternity:
The Easy Way: Voluntary Acknowledgment - If both parents agree on who the father is, they both sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form and submit it to the state. Simple, straightforward, no drama.
The Court Way: When You Don't Agree - When parents can't agree, or when one parent won't cooperate, someone needs to file a paternity suit. This usually goes through the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division. The court will typically order DNA testing to settle the question once and for all, especially if someone's pushing back on the paternity claim.
Our Leander paternity lawyers help you figure out which route makes sense for your situation and walk you through it step by step, making sure nothing gets missed or delayed.
Why This Actually Matters (More Than You Might Think)
A lot of people assume that if dad's name is on the birth certificate, he's automatically the legal father. Nope. For unmarried parents, being on the birth certificate doesn't give a man legal rights to the child. Without established paternity, dads technically have zero legal standing, meaning they can't make decisions about school or doctors' appointments or ask for custody or visitation, and they have no guaranteed place in the child's life. And moms? They can't pursue child support or hold the father financially accountable.
Getting paternity established opens the door to everything else: custody arrangements, visitation schedules, child support, inheritance rights, access to health insurance and other benefits. It protects dads who want to be involved and supports moms who need help shouldering the financial responsibility of raising a child. Bottom line: it matters.
What Comes Next After Paternity Gets Established
That being said, establishing paternity doesn't automatically mean custody starts or child support payments begin. Those are completely separate legal issues that you have to pursue after paternity is confirmed.
Getting Custody and Visitation - Once you're legally recognized as the father, you can pursue custody rights. Texas has two types: conservatorship (who makes the big decisions about the kid's life) and possession and access (where the kid lives and the visitation schedule). Courts usually prefer joint custody when both parents can provide safe, stable homes, but they'll always focus on what's best for the child.
Securing Child Support - After paternity is established, the custodial parent can pursue child support through the Office of the Attorney General. Texas uses guidelines based on income, number of kids, and other factors to calculate what's fair. The OAG creates an order spelling out monthly amounts, due dates, and who covers healthcare and extra expenses.
Our Leander paternity lawyers stick with you through these next steps too, making sure you understand your rights and helping you work toward outcomes that actually make sense for your family.
When You're Accused of Being the Father (But You're Not Sure You Are)
Let's be real: not every guy named in a paternity suit is actually the biological father, no matter how insistent the mother might be. If you're facing paternity allegations for a child you genuinely don't believe is yours, you have every right to say "prove it" before accepting responsibility.
DNA testing gives you clear, conclusive answers that protect you from being pressured—emotionally or financially—into taking on obligations for a child that isn't biologically yours. Our Leander paternity lawyers often represent men fighting disputed paternity claims, and we’ll make sure the court orders proper testing so that you're not stuck with responsibility without real proof.
Why Work With Our Dedicated Leander Paternity Lawyers
We know choosing a lawyer feels like a big deal—because it is. We've built our practice on being not just good at what we do, but also genuinely easy to work with. Our Leander paternity lawyers are real people who care about making a difference in your life, not just checking boxes on a case file. As parents ourselves, we get how much is riding on these cases.
We keep you in the loop at every step, handle all the legal stuff efficiently so you're not stuck waiting around forever, and show up ready to fight for what you need. Most importantly, we remember that there's a child at the center of all of this whose future depends on getting this right.
Contact Hembree Bell Law Firm today for your free case evaluation. Let's help you get some answers and figure out how to move forward.