Most everyone in North Carolina would likely agree that parents have certain obligations to their children. Both parents must ensure that the needs of their children are met. However, a man in another state claims that he is still being forced to pay child support even though a paternity test revealed that the child in question is not his.
The man claims that because he believed that the child was his, he signed the birth certificate. When he went to court to seek visitation of the child, the judge ordered a paternity test. He was reportedly devastated when the test revealed that there was no biological connection.
He states that at the time, approximately a third of his paycheck was going toward child support. Though the judge terminated the child support order, the Florida Department of Revenue appealed the decision, claiming the man did not take appropriate steps to disestablish paternity. As a result, the judge’s decision regarding child support was reversed. Now, the man is forced to make support payments for a child who is not his.
Unfortunately, child support issues can be complicated. While it may be tempting for some people to try to unravel these matters on their own, an attorney with experience with family law can provide advice that could ultimately bring about a quicker, more satisfactory resolution. Fortunately, there are experienced professionals in North Carolina who can help those in the midst of such a dispute fully understand their options, leaving them better poised to protect both their interests and the interests of their children.