Paternity Attorney in Des Moines, Iowa

Legal Guidance for Establishing Paternity in Des Moines, Iowa

Paternity is the legal recognition of a man as a child’s biological and legal father. At the same time, while it might seem like a straightforward concept, establishing paternity in Iowa can be an emotionally charged and legally complex process. For some parents, it’s about securing legal rights to raise and support a child. For others, it’s about ensuring a child has access to financial support, medical benefits, and a complete identity. Understanding your rights and obligations is essential regardless of which side of the case you’re on.

At Feitelson Law Firm, our Des Moines paternity attorney helps individuals—mothers and alleged fathers—navigate Iowa’s paternity laws with care, clarity, and strategic focus. Whether you are trying to establish paternity to seek child support or assert your parental rights or are responding to a paternity claim and seeking clarity about your legal status, we will guide you through the process step by step.

Establishing paternity protects the parent’s rights and, most importantly, the child’s well-being and future. We are here to help you confidently take this critical step, starting with a free consultation.

Why Is Establishing Paternity Important in Iowa?

Paternity is central to Iowa’s family law because it creates parental legal rights and responsibilities. Without legal paternity, a father has no enforceable right to custody or visitation, and a mother cannot seek court-ordered child support from the biological father. The child may also miss valuable health insurance, inheritance rights, and Social Security benefits.

Establishing paternity can:

• Allow a father to request custody or parenting time.
• Enable a mother to seek child support from the biological father.
• Ensure the child has access to both parents’ medical histories.
• Protect the child’s rights to inheritance, insurance, and government benefits.
• Provide the child with a complete and accurate family identity.

Whether you are a mother trying to secure support or a father seeking to play an active role in your child’s life, paternity is the legal foundation for other rights and obligations.

How Is Paternity Established in Iowa?

In Iowa, there are three primary ways to establish legal paternity:

• Paternity by Presumption (Married Parents)

Iowa law presumes that the husband is the legal father if a child is born to a married couple. No further action is usually necessary unless someone challenges the presumption.

• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity

Unmarried parents can voluntarily establish paternity by signing a legal form called the Affidavit of Paternity. This form is often signed at the hospital after the child’s birth but can also be completed later. Once filed with the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics, it has the same legal effect as a court order.

This method is fast and cost-effective, but both parents must agree and be confident in the paternity. If either parent later has doubts, the legal process to undo the acknowledgment can be complicated.

• Court-Ordered Paternity

When there is disagreement or uncertainty, either parent (or the state) can file a paternity action in court. The court may order genetic testing to determine whether the alleged father is the biological parent. If the results confirm paternity, the court will issue an order establishing legal fatherhood.

At Feitelson Law Firm, we assist with every step of the process—from filing or responding to a paternity petition to arranging DNA testing and attending court hearings. We protect your legal rights while focusing on the child’s best outcome.

What Happens After Paternity Is Established?

Once paternity is legally recognized, several legal rights and responsibilities are triggered.

Depending on the circumstances, the court may issue orders relating to:

• Child Custody– The father may seek joint or sole legal and physical custody.
• Visitation (Parenting Time)– A parenting schedule can be established, even if the parents were never in a relationship.
• Child Support– The court may order the father to provide financial support, including for medical and educational expenses.
• Legal Decision-Making– The father may gain the right to participate in the child’s health, education, religion, and other decisions.

We work with parents on both sides to develop comprehensive parenting plans, calculate appropriate child support, and guide them through any related custody or visitation issues. We aim to ensure a balanced and legally sound outcome that reflects the child’s best interests.

Can a Father Challenge Paternity in Iowa?

If a man believes he is not the biological father of a child and has been wrongly named or presumed as such, he has the right to contest paternity.

This is often the case when:

• The Affidavit of Paternity was signed under pressure or misinformation.
• DNA testing has never been conducted.
• The father has doubts about the child’s biological relationship.
• The court has issued a default judgment due to non-response.

However, strict legal deadlines and evidentiary standards apply. In some cases, a man who has assumed the role of a father for a long time may be considered a “legal father” even if a DNA test later excludes him as the biological parent. These cases are fact-specific and can be emotionally and legally complex.

Our Des Moines paternity attorney will review your case, explain your options, and help you take the appropriate legal steps to challenge or disestablish paternity if justified.

What If the Alleged Father Refuses to Cooperate?

If the alleged father refuses to sign an acknowledgment of paternity or participate voluntarily in the process, a court-ordered paternity action may be necessary.

The court can:

• Order genetic testing to determine biological paternity.
• Issue a default judgment if the alleged father fails to respond to the legal action.
• Establish child support obligations, even without voluntary acknowledgment.

We represent clients on both sides of contested paternity cases. Whether you are a mother seeking to secure legal recognition and support for your child or an alleged father facing a paternity claim, we will protect your rights and ensure your case is handled fairly and respectfully.

How Can an Iowa Paternity Lawyer Help?

While paternity cases may appear straightforward, they often involve sensitive emotional issues, legal deadlines, and long-term consequences. An experienced family law attorney can help you understand the implications of every decision and ensure your parental rights—or the rights of your child—are protected.

At Feitelson Law Firm, our Des Moines paternity lawyer can help you:

• File or respond to a paternity action in court.
• Arrange or challenge genetic testing.
• Understand your legal rights and obligations once paternity is established.
• Seeking custody or parenting time as a newly recognized father.
• Secure child support or address financial responsibilities.
• Resolve disputes involving conflicting claims of paternity.

We understand that every case is personal. Whether you’re establishing paternity to connect, support, or clarify, we’ll guide you through the legal process with professionalism, compassion, and a commitment to results.

We Also Focus on the Following Areas:

• Adoptions
• Child Custody 
• Child Support
• Child Support Enforcement
• Fathers’ Rights
• Divorce
• Domestic Violence
• Modification of Child Support or Modification of Custody
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Spousal Support

Start Building a Clear Path Forward: Contact Feitelson Law Firm

Whether you’re seeking to confirm parentage or defending against a claim, paternity matters deserve careful legal attention. At Feitelson Law Firm, we help clients in Des Moines establish or contest paternity while protecting their parental rights and putting the child’s best interests first.

Contact our Des Moines paternity attorney today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and trusted legal support.