paternity lawyer Prince George’s County, MD
Establishing paternity in Prince George’s County can affect child support, custody, and a father’s legal relationship with his child. Whether you are a mother seeking support or a father asserting your rights, understanding the paternity process under Maryland law is critical. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates its practice in family law matters, including paternity actions filed in Prince George’s County Circuit Court and the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County. Our Maryland location serves clients throughout Upper Marlboro, Bowie, College Park, Laurel, Hyattsville, and the surrounding communities. To discuss your paternity matter with Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, call (888) 437-7747.
What Paternity Means in Prince George’s County
Paternity under Maryland law is the legal determination of a child’s biological father. When parents are married at the time of a child’s birth, the husband is presumed to be the father. For unmarried parents, paternity must be established through an acknowledgment of parentage, a court order, or genetic testing. In Prince George’s County, paternity cases are resolved in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County and in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, depending on whether the paternity issue arises in a standalone support action or as part of a broader divorce or custody matter. The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County (Family Division), located at 14735 Main Street in Upper Marlboro, handles divorce, equitable distribution, and contested custody matters where paternity may be disputed. The District Court, also in Upper Marlboro, hears initial child support and paternity petitions.
Maryland’s paternity statutes provide the framework for when and how paternity may be established. The process frequently involves the use of genetic testing, which the court may order if paternity is contested. An established paternity determination carries significant legal weight—it can affect the child’s right to support, inheritance, and access to medical history, as well as a father’s opportunity to seek custody or visitation. Because paternity proceedings are often intertwined with other family law issues, the procedural path depends on the specific court in which the action is filed and whether other matters, such as a divorce, are pending. For residents of Prince George’s County, our Rockville-based Maryland location represents clients in all paternity-related proceedings.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Paternity Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach paternity matters by first identifying the legal goal of the client—whether it is to establish support, obtain custody, defend against a support claim, or confirm parentage. The firm’s attorneys then evaluate whether a paternity action is best pursued as a standalone petition, as part of a divorce or custody modification, or through an administrative acknowledgment. In many cases, the matter can be resolved without a contested hearing if both parties agree to genetic testing and stipulate to the results. However, when paternity is disputed, the firm prepares for litigation in the appropriate Prince George’s County court.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring experience that includes a former Maryland assistant state’s attorney—a background that strengthens case preparation and courtroom advocacy. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 and has since handled family law disputes across multiple jurisdictions. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to paternity matters, from initial consultation through trial or settlement. Their process includes gathering evidence, coordinating genetic testing when necessary, and advocating for the client’s position in conferences and hearings. Throughout, the attorney assigned to the matter works to keep the client informed about court deadlines and potential outcomes, recognizing that paternity cases often involve high personal stakes for parents and children alike.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced family law since 1997. He is a former prosecutor whose firm’s practice extends across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys supplement Mr. Sris’s experience with their own backgrounds in Maryland family law, including service as a former Maryland assistant state’s attorney. This combination of prosecution-trained advocacy and local family-law knowledge informs the representation the firm provides in Prince George’s County paternity cases.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has documented case results across multiple practice areas since 1997. Results may vary. For a consultation about paternity in Prince George’s County, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is paternity and why does it matter in Maryland?
Paternity is the legal identification of a child’s biological father. Establishing paternity in Maryland gives a child the right to financial support, inheritance, health insurance coverage, and access to family medical history. It also enables a father to petition for custody or visitation and ensures that both parents share parental rights and responsibilities. If paternity has not been legally established, the father has no enforceable rights or obligations under Maryland law, even if he has been involved in the child’s life. For this reason, unmarried parents or those with questions about a child’s parentage often seek a court order or formal acknowledgment to protect those legal rights.
How do I establish paternity in Prince George’s County?
Paternity can be established in Prince George’s County through an affidavit of parentage, a court petition, or a genetic test ordered by the court. An affidavit of parentage is a voluntary form signed by both parents, typically at the hospital after the child’s birth or at a later time through the Division of Vital Records. If one parent does not agree or paternity is uncertain, a petition may be filed in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County. The court may order genetic testing, which is highly accurate. Once paternity is legally established, the father’s name may be added to the birth certificate and support or custody issues can be addressed. In cases where a divorce or custody action is already pending in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, paternity questions may be resolved within that proceeding.
What if the alleged father denies paternity?
If an alleged father denies paternity, the court can order genetic testing to determine biological parentage. The parent requesting paternity establishment—often the mother seeking child support—must file a petition and request testing. Once the court issues an order, both parties are required to submit to a DNA test. Maryland courts give significant weight to the test results, which can demonstrate parentage with a very high probability. If the test confirms the man is the father, the court will enter a declaration of paternity and may proceed to resolve support, custody, and visitation issues. If the test excludes him, the case will typically be dismissed unless other grounds for obligations exist. Working with an experienced attorney can help parties navigate the testing process and understand how the results affect their case.
How does paternity affect child custody and support in Maryland?
Establishing paternity is a prerequisite for a court to order child support and for a father to seek custody or visitation. Once paternity is legally recognized, either parent may petition the court for a child custody order. The court then applies the trusted-interests-of-the-child standard under Maryland law to determine physical and legal custody. Similarly, child support guidelines based on the parents’ combined adjusted income can be used to calculate an appropriate support obligation after paternity is established. Without a paternity determination, no enforceable support or custody order can be entered against or in favor of the father. Therefore, parents should address paternity before or concurrently with other family law claims.
Do I need a lawyer to establish paternity in Prince George’s County?
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer to establish paternity, an attorney can help protect your rights and navigate the court system. Paternity proceedings can become complex, especially when they involve child support calculations, custody disputes, or related divorce actions. An experienced family law attorney can explain the options available under Maryland law, file the necessary pleadings, and advocate for your position at hearings. For unmarried parents, a lawyer can also review whether a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage is appropriate and how it will affect future rights. To discuss your particular paternity matter, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
For related legal support, see our family law services in neighboring counties:
Montgomery County Family Law Attorney,
Howard County Family Law Attorney,
Anne Arundel County Family Law Attorney.
Primary sources: Maryland Judiciary Family Law Self-Help ·
Maryland General Assembly Code ·
Prince George’s County Circuit Court Directory
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.