In regards to family law, paternity disputes can be one of the most emotionally draining and complex topics to explore. Paternity fraud, in particular, involves the misrepresentation of paternity, often intending to define a false legal relationship between a child and any individual who is not the biological father. Engaging in paternity fraud can have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved, including the child, the non-biological father, and the biological father.
Due to the delicate nature of paternity fraud, it’s important that you fully understand the legal ramifications of this action in Ohio and learn how you can address it in a way that safeguards your rights.
What is Considered Paternity Fraud in Ohio?
As a working definition, paternity fraud involves any action or situation where a woman knowingly or intentionally misrepresents the biological father of her child.
Some of the most common paternity fraud cases in Ohio center around:
- Misleading a man into believing he is the father of a child and signing an acknowledgment of paternity form
- Falsely identifying paternity on a child’s birth certificate
- Intentionally hiding or lying about the identity of a biological father
- Tampering with paternity test results
- Undergoing artificial insemination without informing the potential father
While other forms are recognized in Ohio, these are often the most common cases seen by the courts.
Legal Ramifications of Paternity Fraud
While a woman might think she has her child’s best interests at heart by hiding paternity, there are some serious legal ramifications for all parties involved that need to be considered.
For the biological father:
- The biological father may be denied the opportunity to create a relationship with their child, which can have a snowball effect on their emotional well-being and their ability to fulfill their parental responsibilities.
- They may face legal hurdles in asserting their parental rights, such as obtaining custody or visitation with the child, due to the existence of an established paternity determination.
For the non-biological father:
- They may be wrongly held financially responsible for a child they did not have and may not be able to afford to support.
- They may be denied the opportunity to assert their own paternal rights, such as seeking visitation or custody arrangements. This can cause emotional strain and hinder their ability to bond with the child.
- Their credibility may be tarnished due to the stigma associated with paternity fraud.
For the child:
- The child involved may experience emotional trauma and confusion regarding their identity and their relationship with both of their parents.
In Ohio, victims of paternity fraud can challenge any established paternity determination and seek justice. The non-biological father can file a motion to vacate paternity and work to overturn a paternity order. Biological fathers have the right to request a paternity test to establish their relationship with the child and assert their parental rights.
Family law is hard enough to navigate without the additional complexities of paternity fraud. By working with a qualified attorney in Ohio, you can learn your rights as a biological parent and explore your options for addressing paternity fraud the right way.
Make the Smart Choice: Schedule a Free Consultation With an Ohio Family Lawyer
At the Law Offices of Kenneth R. Kline LLC, we recognize the delicate nature of paternity fraud cases and are committed to providing comprehensive legal guidance to individuals facing this challenging situation. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about Ohio’s paternity laws.