{"id":1013,"date":"2016-10-27T16:30:37","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T16:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.womensfamilylawyers.com\/?page_id=1013"},"modified":"2026-09-07T01:38:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:38:25","slug":"paternity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.womensfamilylawyers.com\/family-law\/paternity\/","title":{"rendered":"Paternity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reviewed by Joshua P. Haid<\/a>, Managing Partner<\/h3>\n

How to Establish Paternity in Illinois<\/h1>\n

For an unmarried mother, establishing paternity is not a technicality \u2014 it is usually the key that unlocks child support and secures your child\u2019s rights. When you give birth, you are automatically your child\u2019s legal parent. But an unmarried father is not: until his paternity is legally established, he has no obligation to support your child, and your child has no legal claim to his income, inheritance, health coverage, or benefits. Establishing paternity is how you change that.<\/p>\n

Some mothers pursue paternity because the father agrees and simply needs to be recognized; others because he denies the child is his or refuses to help. Either way, the law gives you a path forward, and you do not have to walk it alone. The Women\u2019s Divorce & Family Law Group by Haid and Teich LLP helps mothers across Chicagoland establish paternity and secure the support their children are owed.<\/p>\n

Establishing paternity is how you secure support for your child. Talk with a Chicago family lawyer who represents mothers \u2014 free, confidential consultation, call <\/i>312-445-8830<\/i><\/span><\/a>.<\/i><\/i><\/p>\n

Why establishing paternity matters<\/h2>\n

Paternity is the legal foundation for almost everything that follows. Most importantly for many mothers, a father has no legal obligation to pay child support until his paternity is established \u2014 so if you are relying on informal, on-and-off payments, formalizing paternity is what makes support enforceable. Beyond support, establishing paternity gives your child important rights: to inherit from the father, to access his medical history, and to receive benefits such as Social Security or health insurance through him. It also settles the child\u2019s legal parentage for life. For your child\u2019s security, this is one of the most important steps you can take.<\/p>\n

How is paternity established in Illinois?<\/h2>\n

Under the Illinois Parentage Act (750 ILCS 46<\/span><\/a>), there are a few ways paternity is established:<\/p>\n