Estate Planning News

The Difference Between Father Continue…. Page 2

If the father is not present: Your local office of child support enforcement can help prove who the father is. They will need your help. They will need to know his last known address, what he looks like, where he works, his Social Security number and his date of birth. This information will help them locate him.

Once they locate him, they will need to prove that he is your child's father. One way is if he signed the Affidavit of Parentage. It will also help if you can provide letters in which he claims he is your child's father, pictures of him with your child, diaries, calendars, Mother's Day or birthday cards or proof of any money he has given you or your child. If you have any of these items, you should take them to your local child support office.

If he does not acknowledge the child as his, the court can order a paternity test to determine fatherhood. Once again don't be frightened by the thoughts of needles. The test only requires saliva samples from you, your child and the alleged father.

Paternity Establishment is Important! Your child deserves all of the advantages in life that two parents can give. There are some special reasons to establish paternity.

Your Child's Identity: It will be important for your child to know who his or her father is. This can help give your child secure feeling.

Your Relationship With Your Child: Establishing paternity is one way of showing your child that you care. It's a great way to start a relationship.

Benefits For Your Child: Your child may be eligible for some benefits because you have established paternity. These benefits may include social security, veteran's benefits, life insurance and inheritance. Establishing paternity ensures you can provide for your child even when the unexpected occurs.

Family Medical History: Knowing the family's full history of diseases, illnesses and birth defects will help your doctor if your child becomes sick. It's important to know the father's medical history for this reason.

Contact our Plano estate planning attorney now.

	Did You Know?
	A "Living Trust" can be used to hold legal title to and provide a mechanism to manage your property You can select the person or persons you want -- often even yourself -- as the Trustee(s) to carry out the instructions you want in the Trust and name one or more Successor Trustees to take over if you cannot. Unlike a Will, a Trust usually becomes effective immediately, continues in force during your lifetime even in the event of your incapacity, and continues after your death. Most Trusts are "revocable" which allows the person who creates the Trust to make future changes, modifications and even to terminate it.