Paternity Test Lawyer New Kent County, VA
When parentage is in doubt, a paternity test provides the legal certainty Virginia courts require to make decisions about custody, visitation, and child support. In New Kent County, paternity actions are filed in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court when the matter involves unmarried parents, or alongside a divorce in the Circuit Court when the parents are married. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., practicing since 1997, represents individuals on both sides of paternity establishment—petitioners seeking to confirm a biological tie and respondents who contest or wish to establish it. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle paternity matters as part of the firm’s broader family law practice, drawing on decades of combined litigation experience to guide clients through the genetic-testing process and the legal effects that follow. If you need to establish or challenge paternity in New Kent County, reach our Richmond location at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Paternity Testing Means in New Kent County, Virginia
In Virginia, a legal determination of paternity carries permanent consequences for both the father and the child. Under Va. Code § 20-49.1 et seq., paternity may be established through a written acknowledgment, an administrative order, or a court proceeding that includes DNA testing. Once paternity is confirmed, the father gains the right to seek custody and visitation, and he also assumes the financial obligation of child support calculated under Virginia’s guidelines. The child, in turn, may become eligible for benefits such as Social Security, inheritance, and health insurance coverage through the father.
New Kent County matters involving paternity typically begin in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (J&R) District Court when the parents are not married. The court can order genetic testing, and the results create a legal presumption of fatherhood when the probability reaches a statutory threshold. If the mother is married to someone other than the biological father, the case may also touch on the marital presumption and require additional procedural steps. When paternity is raised as part of a divorce in the Circuit Court—for example, when one spouse alleges that a child born during the marriage is not the other spouse’s biological child—the equitable-distribution and support issues add layers that a family law attorney can help navigate.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Paternity Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach every paternity matter by first establishing what the client needs to achieve—whether that is obtaining an order of paternity to secure child-support obligations, defending against a claim of paternity, or resolving a parentage dispute that has arisen during a divorce. The firm then works to gather the relevant evidence, coordinate DNA testing through an accredited laboratory, and ensure that the results are admissible in court under Virginia’s procedural rules.
When the parents agree on paternity, the matter can often be resolved through a consent order without a contested hearing. When they do not agree, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients in J&R District Court proceedings, where the judge weighs the genetic-test results alongside any other evidence presented. The firm also handles the modifications that can follow an initial paternity finding, such as changes in custody or support, and advises clients on the legal ramifications that a paternity order may have on future family-law litigation.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced law since 1997. His background in litigation informs the firm’s approach to every paternity case, where understanding both the procedural and substantive requirements of Virginia’s family law statutes is essential. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill that revised the equitable-distribution statute—a reflection of his familiarity with the legislative framework that shapes family law practice in the Commonwealth.
Alongside Mr. Sris, the Of Counsel attorneys at the firm bring additional courtroom experience in family law and related litigation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. Together, they represent clients in New Kent County from the firm’s Richmond location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225. Contact our Richmond location at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your paternity matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a paternity test and why is it important in family law?
A paternity test is a genetic analysis, usually performed through a cheek swab, that compares a child’s DNA with the alleged father’s DNA to determine the probability of a biological relationship. In Virginia family law, an established paternity finding creates legal obligations and rights: the father becomes responsible for child support and may seek custody or visitation, while the child gains inheritance and benefit rights. Without a paternity determination, enforcement of those obligations is limited, which is why courts in New Kent County will order testing when parentage is contested.
How is paternity established in Virginia?
Paternity in Virginia can be established voluntarily, administratively, or through a court order. Unmarried parents may sign an acknowledgment of paternity at the hospital or later through the Division of Social Services. If either parent disputes paternity, either party may file a petition in the New Kent County J&R District Court, which can order DNA testing. Once the test results meet the statutory probability threshold, the court enters a legal finding of paternity that is binding for all future family-law matters.
Do I need a lawyer for a paternity test in New Kent County?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer to request or respond to a paternity test, but the consequences of a paternity finding can be life-long. A legal paternity order affects child support, custody, and visitation rights, and once entered, it may be difficult to challenge later. An experienced family law attorney can help ensure that the testing process is handled correctly, that all statutory notice requirements are met, and that the outcome—whether you are the mother, the alleged father, or a legal parent—protects your rights and the child’s best interests.
What happens after paternity is established?
After a Virginia court enters a paternity order, the legal father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate, and the father becomes responsible for providing financial support under Virginia’s child support guidelines. The court may also address custody and visitation at the same hearing or in a subsequent proceeding. For children born outside of marriage, paternity establishment is often the first step before any support or custody order can be entered by the New Kent County J&R District Court.
Can a paternity test be done before the child is born?
Yes, paternity testing can be performed before birth through a non-invasive prenatal paternity test that analyzes fetal DNA from the mother’s blood. While prenatal testing is available, it is not always the method used in Virginia court proceedings because courts prefer legally admissible, post-birth genetic testing under the established standards of Va. Code § 20-49.1. A family law attorney can advise whether pre-birth testing is appropriate in your situation and how the results may affect an eventual paternity filing in New Kent County.
Where are paternity cases heard in New Kent County?
Paternity cases in New Kent County are typically heard in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court when the parties are not married, and in the Circuit Court when paternity is an issue within a divorce proceeding. The J&R District Court is located within the Ninth Judicial District, and the New Kent County Circuit Court sits at 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in both courts on behalf of clients, and our Richmond location serves clients throughout New Kent County. For directions or to schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
Other family law locations served by Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.:
- Fairfax County family law attorney
- Fairfax City family law lawyer
- Falls Church family law representation
- Prince William County family law counsel
- Manassas family law attorney
Official Virginia resources:
Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) |
Virginia Judicial System website
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.