Stamford Paternity Lawyer

Hire a Paternity Lawyer

The most important decision you can make for your case is to hire a paternity lawyer. First and foremost, when you are dealing with custody issues and paternity is called into question, you will want someone in your corner who knows how to help you. The last thing you want is for a legal technicality to impact your relationship with your child. At Reich & Truax, PLLC, we have spent decades helping our clients through situations just like yours. We can help you, too.

Paternity can be an indispensable part of a child’s life. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 15 million children in the country lived without a biological, stepfather, or adoptive father in the home as of 2023. The divorce rate in Connecticut is low at only 2.6 per 1,000 people, according to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you need to establish paternity, a lawyer can help you do that.

If you are doing what you can to establish paternity and be a consistent presence in your child’s life, you may want to consider taking additional efforts to protect and foster that bond. There are many different local dad support groups you may want to look into, such as Dads Are the Difference (DAD) Program or the CT Family Support Network. Talking with other fathers who may be dealing with similar legal issues can be helpful to your case.

How to Establish Paternity in Connecticut

Thankfully, there are multiple ways you can establish paternity of your child in Stamford, Connecticut. The state’s Connecticut Parentage Act has made it easier to ensure that both parents are granted equal access to their child. There are multiple options for married, unmarried, and same-sex parents. Here are some of the various ways that fathers can establish paternity in Connecticut:

• One of the most common and easiest ways to establish paternity is by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form at the time of birth. This document may be presented to you at the hospital. If you are unmarried, both parents must sign this form, which will then be notarized and filed with the proper court. You will then be put on the birth certificate as the legal father.
• Another form of paternity acknowledgment is marital assumption. If you are married when the child is born or married within 300 days of the birth, the husband is automatically assumed to be the legal father by the state of Connecticut. Nothing more needs to be done unless you decide to challenge paternity.
• If the form wasn’t signed or paternity is called into question, you can pursue paternity through a court order. The court will order genetic testing from a qualified lab to prove paternity. This is often done in situations where there was suspected or proven infidelity.

FAQs About Stamford, CC Paternity Law

How Much Is a Custody Lawyer in Connecticut?

There is no telling how much a custody lawyer may cost you in Connecticut, as every custody case is different. The more complex a case is, the more it will cost you. A lawyer must consider many factors before determining a price for their services. Those factors include your partner’s level of cooperation, possible accusations of domestic violence, depositions and court appearances, and the lawyer’s own experience.

What Rights Do Fathers Gain Through Paternity Court?

By pursuing paternity through the courts, fathers will gain parental rights over their children. Those parental rights include the right to make medical decisions, access school records, receive child support, and most importantly, establish visitation or custody rights. Without paternity, none of this will be possible. You should consider speaking with a paternity lawyer for help.

What Are the Paternity Laws in Connecticut?

Connecticut’s paternity laws are very inclusive. They ensure equal parentage rights regardless of gender or marital status. They provide a clear path to proving paternity through the VAP form, marital presumption, or a court order. By following the state’s paternity laws with the help of an experienced lawyer, you will be seen as the legal father if you are successful, and that will help you considerably in a custody battle.

Can a Mother Refuse Access to the Father in Connecticut?

No, a mother cannot legally refuse access to the father in Connecticut, especially if the father has proven paternity and is granted parenting time through a court order. In fact, refusing the father in that case may result in custody issues for the mother. The mother can deny the father access to the child only if the child is in imminent danger. The smartest thing to do is to petition the court for a custody change.

Reach Out to a Paternity Lawyer Today

Pursuing paternity can be complicated, costly, and confusing, but if you succeed, you will be able to make parental decisions and be a consistent presence in your children’s lives. A good lawyer can help you work towards that goal.

At Reich & Truax, PLLC,, we can help you build your case for paternity and make sure no one takes advantage of you. Contact us today to speak with a member of our experienced legal team.