Legitimation and Paternity

Legitimation and Paternity are family law cases that can be pursued by a parent when a child is born to parents who are not married. A paternity action is filed by the mother to a child, while and a legitimation action is filed by the father to a child. Legitimation and paternity actions can be used to seek custody or visitation, to seek the change of a child's name, and to allow a child and his or her father to be capable of inheriting from each other. Legitimation and paternity actions provide fathers with rights and responsibilities with respect to their child. They often also include the issue of financial support of the child, generally through a child support order.

The attorneys at Hackett & Wine have expertise and experience in representing mothers and fathers in this situation in all metro-Atlanta counties.