Jackson Paternity Lawyers
Helping Fathers Pursue Their Rights & Protect Their Interests
No father wants to be left out of a child's life. Unfortunately, it happens quite often. Sometimes the mother of a child will deny a father's paternity or refuse to acknowledge him as the child's father. It is also common for a mother to hide the child's location from the father.
Whether you are the father or the mother, if you have questions about paternity, Chinn & Associates, PC, wants to help.
Our Jackson paternity lawyers are ready to provide you with the legal advice and guidance you need to pursue your rights and protect your interests.
Contact Chinn & Associates, PC for experienced legal representation from our Jackson paternity attorney. Call (601) 202-5594 today for an initial consultation.
What Is Paternity?
Paternity refers to the legal relationship between a father and a child.
In Mississippi, paternity can be either:
- In fact—when the father and mother agree that he is the father
- In law—when the father is identified as the father by the mother, by an order of the court, or when he admits that he is the father
How Do I Establish Paternity?
There are several ways to establish paternity in Mississippi. The method you choose will depend on the circumstances surrounding your paternity case.
Options for establishing paternity include:
- By filing a petition with the court
- By signing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity
- By DNA testing
It is important to know that if you and the mother of your child are not married, you will not have any parental rights unless you establish paternity. A father who is not married to the mother of his child and has questions about paternity should speak with a Jackson paternity lawyer.
What Are the Benefits of Establishing Paternity?
When paternity is established, the father gains legal rights to his child. He will be able to seek custody, visitation, or other parental rights. He will also be responsible for child support.
While the mother is still the child's legal guardian, she can make decisions about the child's care, education, health, and religion. However, she cannot make decisions about the child's medical treatment or the child's residence without the father's permission.
Fathers who wish to have a relationship with their children, and mothers who wish to have their children spend time with their father, should establish paternity. Once paternity is established, fathers can also request that their child's last name be changed to include their last name.
Protecting Your Rights & Pursuing Your Interests
The issue of paternity can be complicated and emotionally charged. If you are the mother of a child or the father of a child, you may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Our paternity lawyers in Jackson are here to help you understand your legal options and pursue your rights and interests.
Our firm handles paternity cases in both state and federal court. We have helped thousands of clients resolve their paternity issues. For more than three decades, our family law firm has helped clients throughout the state of Mississippi resolve their legal issues.
For more information about paternity, contact our firm today. We offer flexible appointment options and accept Visa and MasterCard.
Contact Chinn & Associates, PC for experienced legal representation from our Jackson paternity attorney. Call (601) 202-5594 today for an initial consultation.
Our Testimonials
See How We've Helped Families Regain Their Strength
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I just wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity in sharing your CLE materials with me. Your insights and expertise have long been an inspiration, not just in Mississippi family law but on the national stage as well. Your leadership in value billing has truly shaped the way family law attorneys approach their practice, and I deeply respect the impact you've had on our profession. Beyond your professional accomplishments, I've always admired the incredible successes of your family. Watching your daughters thrive in their own careers and families over the years has been a joy. It must have been an especially proud moment to present a CLE alongside Carly what a remarkable testament to your influence both as a lawyer and as a father. It has been an honor to know you and call you a friend over the years. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity. I truly appreciate it...and wish continued success to you!Attorney Phillip T.
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Chinn & Associates helped me so much in a very complicated situation. They walked me through the entire process, answered all my questions, and were always very attentive to my needs. The pricing was fair, and I really liked the pricing structure. There were no surprises. I really appreciate all they did for the kids and I.Anonymous
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Your insights and expertise have long been an inspiration, not just in Mississippi family law but on the national stage as well. Your leadership in value billing has truly shaped the way family law attorneys approach their practice, and I deeply respect the impact you've had on our profession. Beyond your professional accomplishments, I’ve always admired the incredible successes of your family. Watching your daughters thrive in their own careers and families over the years has been a joy. It must have been an especially proud moment to present a CLE alongside Carly — what a remarkable testament to your influence both as a lawyer and as a father.Phillip T.
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Mark and his team did a great job handling my tough situation. Their expertise and knowledge made all the difference and I am so thankful for each member of this law firm.Mark
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Mr. Chinn and staff are very professional and knowledgeable. I was informed throughout the entire divorce process and I'm very pleased. My lawyer showed a deep understanding of my personal situation and demonstrated empathy throughout the entire process. This helped me tremendously to get through this difficult situation. I highly recommend this law firm.Shandler
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Trial day 2 today. Looking forward to work (which I rarely say in chancery court) but working with three of the best who make a beautiful, awesome, clean record. My reporter friends all get it. Makes work a pleasure. Thank you, Counsel, for being great at your job and making mine great. (Mark Chinn, Esq.)Unsolicited Post by a Court Reporter
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I am beyond grateful for the exceptional service provided by Mark. From our initial consultation, it was clear that he had a deep understanding of family law and a genuine concern for my well-being. Mark was always available to answer my questions, provided clear and concise advice, and worked to ensure the best possible outcome for my case. His strategic approach and attention to detail were truly impressive, and his support helped me stay calm and focused during a very challenging time. I highly recommend Mark Chinn to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and compassionate divorce attorney.Anonymous
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Thank you guys and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. The strategy and pressure worked. And the amount of work from you guys was above and beyond. Janeah you are unstoppable!!!! I’m more than happy with the agreement also. The constant contact with you guys and timely responses back to my questions really helped when things would get nasty. Helped me to stay smart and strategic instead of panic. But thanks again for everythingJoel D.
