Why DNA tests matter in a child support case

Colorado residents who are seeking child support may need to establish paternity. This is true if the alleged father of the child was not married to the mother at the time of conception or birth. In most cases, DNA tests are used to establish paternity because of their high degree of accuracy. Tests are generally conducted by taking cells from the inside of a person’s cheek.

This is designed to be a painless procedure and has also been shown to be as accurate as a blood test. If a man is deemed to be a child’s father, he will likely be ordered to pay child support, and he may also be given visitation rights to the child. A DNA test may be required to determine parentage if a parent signs up for public assistance programs. Doing so can help to identify noncustodial parents and ensure that they are helping to provide for their children.

Labs may be able to collect and take samples both in the United States and in foreign countries. Samples are typically tested twice to make sure that the results are correct. Any information that is gathered will be kept confidential, and steps are taken to ensure the security of any samples received. Taking these steps makes it easier for interested parties to trust a test’s results.

Parents who are engaged in a child support dispute may want to have an attorney represent their interests. An attorney may be able to help a parent modify an existing agreement or help a custodial parent take steps to get what he or she is owed. If necessary, authorities can garnish wages or intercept tax refunds in an effort to ensure that a child has the financial resources needed to thrive.