When Do You Need a Paternity Lawyer?
A paternity case is a legal process used to determine a child’s father. Paternity must be established to be granted legal custody, support, and visitation rights for children of unmarried parents.
A paternity lawyer might be necessary if the child’s father declines to voluntarily establish paternity or the mother declines to acknowledge the father.
If paternity is in question, a knowledgeable paternity lawyer can guide you through the steps necessary to establish or contest custody, parenting time, or child support.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Paternity Lawyer in Canada?
Some paternity lawyers offer no-cost initial consultations. Most paternity lawyers in Canada charge $100-$400 per hour, but don’t be surprised if some lawyers charge more.
What to Look For in a Paternity Lawyer
When choosing the best paternity lawyer for your situation, take into account the following:
Honesty
Your paternity lawyer should be forthright and truthful with you regarding your situation.
Diligence
You can tell how diligent a paternity lawyer is when you first phone them. Did the lawyer answer the phone, or did a secretary take your call? Before telling you how much they would charge, did the lawyer take the time to discuss your worries with you over the phone? Did a face-to-face consultation take place? Has the lawyer reviewed the pertinent legal and factual issues?
The Dialogue Ability of the Attorney
Your paternity attorney needs to be available to you. When you call, they ought to pick up. You shouldn’t converse with the attorney’s paralegal or secretary more often than the lawyer.
You should be able to contact your lawyer via email. The status of your case should be discussed frequently with your lawyer.
Impartiality
It takes more than merely listing the benefits and drawbacks of your case to be objective. It also entails ensuring that your case study includes the realistic options available to the family court.
The best lawyers won’t tackle your paternity case and its issues in isolation. Instead, they will realize that family law problems are rarely cut and dried and that the court has “discretion” in some situations.
Knowledge of Documentation for Paternity Cases
When you arrive at court, your lawyer or legal firm must have finished your paperwork. Document preparation is essential in a paternity case, so pay attention to it.
Imagine that you hired a lawyer who sent all of the work to a secretary or paralegal without carefully reading it to ensure that it was accurate, thorough, and persuasively stated your case. You ought to look for another lawyer in that situation.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Paternity Lawyer
Gathering the essential information and supporting documentation before a consultation is critical. It is also important to keep track of any questions a client may have for their attorney regarding their case.
The patient should bring any relevant documents to the consultation. It may also contain the child’s birth certificate, documents about the child, and, in some cases, communications between the child’s biological mother and the father claiming paternity. Evidence of paternity may be found in communications between the parties, for example, if the biological mother refers to a different possible father.
It’s also important to record any questions someone may have about their circumstance. This could include the outcome of genetic testing, what would happen if paternity was disputed, and the legal repercussions of acknowledging paternity.
Where to Find the Best Paternity Lawyers in the Canada
You can find the best paternity lawyers in Canada on LegalMatch. You can also search the Canadian Bar Association’s website for paternity lawyers.
