Parentage Petition: Establish Parental Rights & Custody
Establishing legal parentage is the first step toward securing your rights as a parent, particularly when requesting child support, custody, or visitation in California. If you were never married to your child’s other parent, filing a parentage petition is the formal way to confirm your legal relationship in the eyes of the court. Take control of your parental rights today.
What Is a Parentage Petition?
A Petition to Establish Parental Relationship is a legal filing that asks the court to determine (and legally assign) who a child’s parents are. This is especially important for unmarried parents, blended families, and even needed for biological parents who want to be recognized officially. Establishing parentage allows you to request child support, custody, visitation, or to have your name added to a birth certificate. Without it, the court does not have jurisdiction to help you issue enforceable parenting orders.
What is Process for A Petition to Establish Parentage?
The parentage petition process in California establishes a legal parent-child relationship for unmarried or unrecognized parents. It’s a required step that gives the Court authority to make orders for custody, visitation, or child support. Here’s how it works:
Eligibility Review & Strategy: Every case begins with understanding your unique situation. Whether you are listed on the birth certificate, if a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage has been signed, and if the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is already involved-all of this information is taken into account for the preparation of your Petition to Establish Parental Relationship.
Document Preparation: We handle all the necessary forms, including the Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (FL-200), Summons, , Declaration, Exhibits, Order, Notices, local forms and all other supporting documents. If you need to file separate Request for Order (FL-300) for emergency custody or support-related requests, we can help with that too. Every set of documents is tailored to your case and compliant with local court rules and procedures.
Official Court Filing and the Other Parent’s Service + Response: Once your Petition is completely prepared, it is filed in the appropriate California Superior Court depending on the applicable jurisdiction. The other parent must be properly served with the petition, all related + some additional new forms. If they do not file a response before their deadline, we help you request and secure a default judgment. If they do respond, we can help you prepare for what comes next, including possible negotiations or hearings.
Court Hearing, Mediation or Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC): Upon acceptance of the case, the Court will immediately assign a hearing date for the case and also mediation or Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) meeting date as well. There is usually a worksheet required by CCRC and a parenting class, depending on your local courthouse. Our office helps you get all of this done without the guesswork.
Judgment & Final Steps: Once parentage is established and all requirements met, the Judge will grant your request and you’ll receive a court order officially recognizing your legal relationship. From there, you can move forward with post-judgment procedures like updating the birth certificate, requesting support orders, or filing additional custody agreements if needed.
Why Choose a Paralegal for Your Parentage Petition?
Choosing not to retain an attorney’s office does not mean you have to face this complex legal process alone. A paralegal saves you time, money, and the stress of navigating court websites, deciphering forms, and figuring out if everything is filled out correctly. California courts require strict compliance with service rules, filings, and local procedures, especially for family law cases involving minor children. If your paperwork is incomplete or incorrect, the court clerk will reject it, resulting in further delays to your case. We can help you avoid the overwhelm and unnecessary frustration:
Expertise and knowledge of family law procedures in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura County courthouses.
Flat-fee pricing and flexible service options. No billable hours.
Step-by-step support for proper personal service and default requests
Mediation, CCRC and Case hearing prep and forms. Courtesy hearing sit-in by certified paralegal.
Step-by-step support with judgment entry, mediation, and post-filing requests (Request for Orders, Emergency Ex-Parte Orders, etc.)
With us, you’ll get dedicated and tailored legal document support from start to finish. Efficient, affordable, and seamless. We handle the paperwork so that you can focus on parenting.
FAQ: Do I still need a parentage petition if I’m on the birth certificate or completed a DNA test?
Being listed on the birth certificate or having a DNA test result does not automatically give you legal rights in court. even if you are the biological parent. If you were never married to the other parent, the court requires a parentage judgment before it can issue any orders related to your child for custody, support, or visitation.
Did You Know?
Done right, you can simultaneously request a name change for your child, as part of a parentage case. This saves you from opening an entire separate minor legal name change case with the Court later on. Once parentage is legally established, the court may approve a new name and issue an updated birth certificate upon request.
Secure Your Legal Rights as a Parent Today
Filing a parentage petition can be overwhelming, but when required, is an essential step in protecting your relationship with your child and securing your parental rights. Whether you're a mother, father, or non-biological parent, taking this legal action ensures you're recognized as your child’s parent under California law. Don’t wait.
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