Cary Parentage Attorneys
How Does Illinois Law Define Parentage?
Under Illinois law, parentage is the legal recognition of a parent’s relationship to their child. With parentage comes numerous rights and responsibilities, such as the responsibility to financially support a child, custody and visitation rights, and the right to make decisions on behalf of a child.
You can establish parentage through marriage, voluntary acknowledgment, or legal action. In many cases, determining parentage is essential for protecting a child’s well-being and asserting parental rights.
At Vaclavek Hartman Vaclavek, our team has many decades of experience helping clients navigate legal challenges relating to parentage. While these matters can be high-stakes and hotly contested, we never shy away from taking challenges head-on because we know how much they mean to our clients.
To speak with one of our Cary parentage attorneys about your situation, call (815) 507-8887 or reach out online. We offer free consultations, which we can conduct in person or virtually.
Why Establishing Parentage Is Important
Clarifying your or a co-parent’s legal relationship with your child can mean everything for your child’s future, as well as your own. Some of the key reasons establishing parentage is important include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Child support - A legally recognized parent is responsible for financially supporting their child. As such, establishing parentage opens the door for seeking child support.
- Child custody and parenting time - When you obtain a parentage order, you can pursue custody and/or establish a parenting schedule that protects your role in your child’s life.
- Inheritance rights - Establishing parentage safeguards a child’s right to financial benefits and inheritance.
- Medical decisions - Legal parentage can grant you the ability to make critical medical decisions for your child and access health records.
- Government benefits - Children may be eligible for health insurance, Social Security benefits, or other assistance programs through a legally recognized parent.
What Our Cary Parentage Attorneys Can Offer You
Whether you are seeking to establish parentage or resolve a related dispute, we offer a range of services to help get you through challenging times.
On your behalf, we can do the following:
- Guide you through the process of signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP), which is a legal document that establishes the parent-child relationship between an unmarried mother and father.
- Assist with DNA testing if there is a paternity dispute or if one party contests the VAP.
- File for a court order to establish paternity, a step that may be necessary if one party refuses to sign a VAP or if disagreements arise over parental rights and responsibilities.
- Help negotiate and draft parenting plans that outline custody, visitation, and child support arrangements.
- Advise on legal issues related to child support, including calculating payments, modifying agreements, and enforcing court orders for non-payment.
- Provide representation in family court proceedings related to paternity, custody, visitation, and child support matters. This can include mediation sessions with your co-parent or representing you in front of a judge during a trial.
At our firm, we know that parentage matters are about more than the law. They are about fulfilling the needs of children and families. That is why we approach these cases with compassion and handle them with the sensitivity they deserve. Find out more about how we can help you in a free consultation.
To partner with Vaclavek Hartman Vaclavek, call (815) 507-8887 or contact us online. We are proud to serve individuals and families throughout McHenry and Kane counties and the surrounding areas.