Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity

Recently from the Georgia Family Law Blog

WHAT IS PATERNITY?

Paternity means fatherhood, the quality or state of being a father.

WHAT IS A PATERNITY TEST?

A Paternity Test is a DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) or genetic test that determines whether a given man could be the biological father of a child.

ON WHAT GROUNDS CAN I RECEIVE A PATERNITY TEST?

Paternity test are not just used to determine whether an individual is the biological father of a child. A Paternity test is useful in many situations, including:

• Assisting women seeking child support from a man who denies he is a child s biological father.
• Helping men attempting to win custody or visitation rights.
• Providing peace of mind for men wishing to confirm paternity.
• Establishing proof of heritage for an adopted child seeking their biological parents.
• Determining grand parentage, inheritance rights, insurance claims or Social Security benefits.
• Assisting in immigration cases on the grounds an individual is a biological relative of a citizen.
• Establishing Native American Tribal Rights.
• Determining rightful heirs by DNA profiling for estate purpose.
• Providing conclusive evidence of sisterhood or brotherhood for siblings separated for long periods of time.

WHAT IS THE PATERNITY TEST PROCEDURE?

There are several ways in which a paternity test can be performed. Test samples can come from blood cells, cheek cells, tissues samples, and semen. Paternity experts prefer using Blood test and the Buccal (cheek) swab test to determine Paternity. When an individual takes a blood test, a blood specimen (one tablespoon or less) is drawn from the forearm. Unlike a blood test, the buccal scrap is done by brushing a swab vigorously against the inside of the subject s cheek. Since the DNA is the same in every cell of the body, the accuracy of testing performed on cheek cells with the swab is the same as using blood.

DOES THE CHILD HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN AGE IN ORDER TO TAKE A PATERNITY TEST?

No. Children of any age may be tested, although some laboratories will not take blood from an infant younger than six months old.

ARE RESULTS CONFIDENTIAL?

All client information as well as their test results are strictly confidential. Results are released only to the party requesting the test unless otherwise demanded by a court order.

HOW MUCH DOES A PATERNITY TEST COST?

The cost of the test varies depending on the facility that you go to take the test.

DOES INSURANCE COVER PATERNITY TESTING?

No, Unfortunately there is no coverage.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THE PATERNITY TEST?

The amount of time it takes to receive the results of your paternity test depends on the facility where you are tested. Some facilities can have test result available 8 to 10 working days from when the samples are received in the laboratory. In special cases, results can be received within 48 -72 hours from the time the test was taken. An additional fee is charged for this service.

HOW ACCURATE IS THE PATERNITY TEST?

The results of the test are guaranteed to be either 0% (exclusion) or over 99% proof of paternity. (Most courts in the U.S. accept 99.0% as proof of paternity.)

WILL THE RESULTS STAND UP IN COURT?

Yes. As long as you take the Paternity Test in a laboratory that is nationally accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologist s (CAP), American Society of Histology (ASH) and any other facility that has a state license

WHERE WOULD I GO TO TAKE THE PATERNITY TEST?

The following list represents laboratories in Atlanta that perform DNA paternity testing.

American Red Cross
1925 Monroe Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
(404)253-5448

DNA Diagnostics Center
205 Corporation Court

Walk-In-Lab Test, Inc.
710 Peachtree Street, Suite 220
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404-874-LAB7(5227)

SOURCE: Family Law Information Center, Superior Court of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit
Atlanta, Georgia

Source for Post: Georgia Family Law Blog