San Diego Paternity Lawyers

Family Law Support for Clients Throughout San Diego County

Paternity is a critical legal issue for many families in San Diego and throughout California. Establishing parentage is often the first step in resolving child custody, visitation, and child support matters. It can also secure necessary rights for children, including access to medical insurance, Social Security, military benefits, and inheritance.

At Andrew J. Botros, APC, we help mothers and fathers navigate paternity cases, whether they arise in support disputes, custody conflicts, or questions about parental rights and obligations. 

Book a confidential case evaluation with a San Diego paternity attorney at Andrew J. Botros, APC by phone at (858) 422-1377. You can also reach us online to schedule a phone, office, or a convenient virtual consultation. 

When Paternity Arises as a Legal Issue

Paternity matters most often come up in situations where the parents are unmarried at the time of a child’s birth. In these cases, a paternity action must be filed in the San Diego Family Court to legally establish parental rights and responsibilities.

Common situations include:

• A mother seeking financial support from the child’s father
• A father who wants to secure custody or visitation rights
• Disputes over whether a man is the biological father of a child
• Cases involving questions of inheritance, health insurance, or military benefits
• Situations where a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (paternity) has been signed but later contested

Because these cases are often deeply personal and can directly affect a child’s future, they are best handled with the guidance of an experienced family law attorney.

Our Paternity Case Representation in San Diego County

Paternity cases are rarely simple. They often involve questions of biology, parental fitness, financial responsibility, and the child's best interests. 

At Andrew J. Botros, APC, we guide clients through every stage of the process, including:

• Filing or responding to a paternity petition in the San Diego Family Court
• Navigating Voluntary Declarations of Parentage
• Litigating contested paternity disputes, including DNA testing and challenges to prior acknowledgments
• Seeking or opposing orders for custody, visitation, and child support once parentage is established
• Protecting clients’ rights in cases involving domestic violence, relocation, or modifications

With Certified Family Law Specialists on our team, Andrew J. Botros, APC brings advanced training and experience to these often complex and emotional cases. Our mission is to provide clarity, advocacy, and solutions that protect your rights and your child’s well-being.

Voluntary Declaration of Paternity

California law provides a streamlined process for establishing paternity voluntarily. Under Family Code §7571, when a child is born to an unmarried mother, the man she identifies as the father may sign a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (paternity) at the hospital. 

Once signed by both parents and properly filed with the Department of Child Support Services, the declaration has the same force and effect as a court order establishing paternity.

This process saves families time and money while giving children support and recognition from both parents. However, problems can arise if a man who signed the declaration later learns he is not the biological father. 

In those cases, the court must weigh whether setting aside the declaration is in the child’s best interests. In some situations, a man who is not the biological father may still be deemed the legal father and ordered to pay child support.

Fathers Seeking Custody

For many fathers, establishing paternity is the essential first step toward building and protecting a meaningful relationship with their children. Without legal recognition, a father may have no enforceable rights to custody, visitation, or decision-making authority. 

Once paternity is established, the court can issue custody and parenting time orders that reflect the child’s best interests. Our firm regularly assists fathers in navigating this process through voluntary declarations or court actions, so they can secure their rights as parents and establish a strong, lasting bond with their children.

Reach us online or at (858) 422-1377 to consult a San Diego paternity attorney about your legal case today.