Fatherhood should still be established. The two of you could stop
getting along. He could stop helping you take care of the baby.
Fatherhood should still be established. If the father has no job and
is not in school, your CSEA can order him to get a job so he can pay
child support. Your CSEA can collect support due now. It can also
collect any past due support that has built up.
Fatherhood should still be established. The father can be ordered to
pay child support despite his age. Sometimes, the father's parents
can be ordered to pay child support as well.
Fatherhood should still be established. When the father gets a job
after getting out of school or jail, your CSEA can collect child
support.
Your CSEA worker will ask you questions about who might be the
child's father. Some of these questions may embarrass you or be hard
to answer. Answer the questions with as many details as you can.
Your answers will help your worker find the man or men who could be
your child's father. Then, DNA tests can be done.
Don't name a man as the father of your child if you know he is not.
This is against the law.
You will have to cooperate in naming the child's father to get
welfare.
Tell your CSEA worker if you have this problem. Your worker will ask
you to show good cause. Good cause means proving that if you name
the father you or the child would be in danger.
After you have established fatherhood, your CSEA can ask the father
to provide health insurance for his child. The health insurance is
usually through a job or a union.
Testing can be done any time after your
child is born.
How much blood is needed?
Only a few drops are needed from the baby. The blood is usually taken from the child's arm, but sometimes from
the finger or heel. Sometimes samples of cheek cells are taken
instead.
Will the test hurt my baby?
Your child will feel a sting, like when
he or she gets a shot. Most babies cry because they don't like to be
held still. Some cry because they are afraid of strangers. Have a
toy, bottle, or treat ready to help dry the tears.
How long does it take?
Collecting the samples is done quickly. Even
with the paperwork, the whole process takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Yes, but it may be harder and take more time.
If the father is still in Ohio, talk to your CSEA worker right away.
The best time to establish fatherhood is when both parents are
living in Ohio. 
You an the father may agree on visits without going to court. If the
two of you don't agree on visits, you will need to go to court.
If the father wants his right to visit spelled out legally, it must
be done through the court.
A father has the right to ask the court to give him custody. In most
cases, the court gives custody to the parent who already has a home
for the child.
The sooner a father begins to support the child, the more likely he
will keep doing so.
When you wait, you take a chance. You don't know what might happen
in the future. The father might move and you might not be able to
find him.
The father could die. Your child may not get any inheritance or
other support.
You need to make sure your child will have support from both
parents.
Yes - after you are legally named as the father, you have a duty to
support the child. You need to help with the costs of raising a
child, including medical bills.
The mother of the child said she was using birth control.
You have a duty to support your child. It does not matter if you
think it's fair. It does not matter if you agreed to the pregnancy.
You still have a duty to support your child.
You still have a duty to support your child.
You will always have the duty to support your child and rights to
your child unless a court rules differently.
Yes. You can also be ordered to help the mother support the child,
despite your age. Sometimes, your parents may be ordered to pay
support for your child as well.
Yes. Every state has child support laws. These laws let the mother
prove you are the father even if you live in another state.
You and the mother may agree on visits without going to court. If
the two of you don't agree on visits, you will need to go to court.
If you want your right to visit your child spelled out legally, you
will need to go to court.
Can I ask for custody of my child?
Yes, but you must first establish fatherhood. If you decide to ask
for custody, the court decides which parent is better able to care
for the child.
In most cases, the court gives custody to the parent who already has
a home for the child.
You are helped in many ways. Being legally named as the father
protects the tie between you and your child. You have the chance to
be a role model for your child. You can be part of your child's
life.
Your child has the right to regularly obtain support from both
parents, now and in the future.
When you wait, you take a chance. You don't know what might happen
in the future. You might not get the chance to support and care for
your child. Your child could grow up without a father in his or her
life.
You need to make sure your child will have support and care from
both parents.
If you have problems
or need more information contact:
Office of Child Support Enforcement
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
30 East Broad Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0423
Phone: (800) 686-1556
If you have a hearing problem:
Phone: (614) 752-3951
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February 05, 2007 - Web Services by:
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Copyright 2006
Portage County. Ohio. All rights reserved.
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