Paternity

Paternity Attorney in Sacramento

Establish Parentage Before Addressing Custody, Visitation & Support

California commonly calls the legal paternity process “establishing parentage.” At The Nixon Law Practice, we represent Sacramento parents seeking to establish that legal relationship and address the custody, visitation, and child support matters connected to it.

Legal parentage must generally be established before a court can issue orders governing parental rights and responsibilities. We represent unmarried mothers and fathers in voluntary and contested proceedings, tailoring our legal strategy to each family’s circumstances.

We have served as lead counsel in approximately one-third of contested cases before the Sacramento County Family Court. We bring that courtroom experience to disputes over biological parentage and the parenting arrangements that may follow.

Call (916) 957-5619 to discuss establishing parentage and the related custody, visitation, or support issues affecting your family.

Two Ways to Establish Legal Parentage in California

California provides two primary paths to legal parentage: signing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage or filing a court action under the Uniform Parentage Act, which governs how the parent-child relationship is legally established.

Voluntary Declaration of Parentage

A Voluntary Declaration of Parentage allows eligible parents to formally acknowledge parentage. It’s typically completed at the hospital after a child’s birth, although parents may also complete it later through a county agency.

Once properly signed and filed, the declaration has the same force and effect as a court judgment under section 7573 of the California Family Code. Because the form creates significant legal rights and obligations, parents should understand its effect before signing.

Contested Parentage Actions

When parentage is disputed, we handle court actions brought under sections 7600 through 7730 of the California Family Code. These proceedings allow the parties to present evidence and ask the court to decide legal parentage.

Under section 7551, the court may order genetic testing of the mother, child, and alleged parent when necessary to resolve the dispute. Test results can provide evidence of biological parentage, but they don’t independently decide custody, visitation, or support terms.

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Why Choose The Nixon Law Practice?

Nixon Law is dedicated to YOUR best interests, led by Zara Nixon and a trusted team committed to achieving the results you need. Nixon Law is comprised of three categories of core values. Nixon law promises to give these values to you, and in turn we expect the same of our clients.

Honesty & Candor

Honesty is at the heart of everything we do. We uphold a duty of loyalty and confidentiality to every client, ensuring all communication, from consultations to case meetings, remains protected. Our motto says it all: Honesty is Queen.
Creativity & Solution Seeking
Solutions aren’t always straightforward. Whether through the legal system, negotiation, or mediation, we embrace creativity and adaptability to find the best path forward.
Determination & Grit

We understand that the cases we handle can be tough and messy, but we’re here to back you every step of the way, listening to your needs and fighting for your goals. Even with the best representation, perseverance is key.

The Sacramento Parentage Case Process

A disputed case begins when a party files a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship and a Summons. The petition identifies the requested legal finding and may ask the court to address custody, visitation, or financial support.

The filed documents must then be formally served on the other party. Proper service provides notice of the proceeding and starts the responding party’s deadline to act.

Local Court Processing & Self-Help Services

Sacramento County parentage matters are processed through the Family Law Division at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. The Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center and the Family Law Facilitator’s Office provide procedural assistance with parentage cases. These services don’t replace legal representation or case-specific advice.

Representation for Fathers

We represent fathers in Sacramento paternity actions, custody disputes, visitation matters, and support proceedings. California custody law doesn’t favor a parent based on sex, so the court focuses on the applicable legal standards and the evidence presented.

We emphasize accessible and affordable legal support. Virtual consultations and remote case handling allow clients to work with us without making every case discussion an in-person visit.

Proven Results, Real Impact

The Voice Within The Void

Explore our case results to see how Nixon Law has delivered justice and resolution for clients in family law, personal injury, and domestic disputes. Your success is our mission.

Custody Dispute Victory Client now enjoys a stable custody arrangement.
A mother of two sought Nixon Law's help during a contentious custody battle.

Custody, Visitation & Financial Support After Parentage

Once legal parentage is established, the court can issue orders addressing child custody, visitation, and financial support. We handle these connected issues so parents can address both the legal parent-child relationship and the practical orders their families need.

Child Custody & Visitation

California courts decide custody according to the child’s best interests: the arrangement the court determines will best protect the child’s health, safety, and welfare. Section 3011 of the California Family Code identifies relevant factors, including the child’s circumstances and any history of abuse.

A parentage judgment doesn’t guarantee a particular custody schedule or amount of parenting time. We work with clients to present the facts relevant to custody and visitation while pursuing arrangements suited to their circumstances.

California Guideline Child Support

California uses the statewide guideline formula in section 4055 of the California Family Code to calculate support payments. Key inputs include each parent’s income and the amount of time each spends with the child. Establishing parentage gives the court a legal basis to enter an order, but the amount depends on the financial and parenting-time information used in the calculation.

Abuse Allegations in Parentage Cases

Parentage proceedings may involve concerns about a child’s safety as well as the legal parent-child relationship. Domestic violence allegations can affect how the court evaluates proposed custody arrangements, particularly when the evidence triggers section 3044 of the California Family Code.

Section 3044 creates a legal starting point against certain custody awards after a qualifying finding of abuse. It doesn’t decide every case automatically. The court must apply the statute to the evidence and circumstances before it.

Our firm is led by attorney Zara Nixon, whose prosecutorial background includes domestic violence cases. That experience informs our measured approach when abuse allegations intersect with parenting issues, custody requests, or a contested parentage action.

Discuss Your Sacramento Parentage Case

A virtual consultation can clarify the appropriate path and identify the custody or support issues that may require attention. We also offer remote case handling to reduce unnecessary travel. Our contact form provides a convenient way to share initial details.

Call (916) 957-5619 to discuss your Sacramento parentage matter with our firm.

California Parentage Presumptions & Response Deadlines

Under section 7540 of the California Family Code, the state generally presumes paternity when the parents are married at the time of birth or when a child is born within 300 days after a marriage ends.

A signed and filed declaration and a court judgment can each establish legal parentage. The appropriate path depends on marital status, whether both parties agree, and whether a judgment already applies.

A person served with a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship and Summons has 30 days to file an answer. Missing that deadline can affect how the case proceeds, especially when custody or financial-support requests are included. We advise clients on the parentage, custody, and support questions raised in the action.

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Whether you need legal guidance or a fierce advocate by your side, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward resolution and justice.