01
Establishing paternity
The court may need to determine or confirm legal fatherhood before other rights and responsibilities are addressed.
Wisconsin Paternity
Paternity guidance for parents protecting their child’s future.
When parents are not married, paternity may need to be legally established before custody, placement, child support, parenting plans, or legal rights and responsibilities can be addressed. Vanden Heuvel & Dineen, S.C. helps mothers and fathers navigate Wisconsin paternity actions.
When NeededParents are not married to each other
Father’s RightsRights may need to be legally established
Mother’s RightsSupport and placement protections may be needed
Child FocusCustody, placement, support, and parenting plans
Paternity Actions
What paternity means in Wisconsin family law.
When a child is born to parents who are not married to each other, a legal paternity action may be necessary to establish the father’s rights and responsibilities or to resolve disputes about legal parentage. Paternity can also affect child support, custody, placement, and parenting plans.
01
Legal Parentage
Paternity may establish the legal father-child relationship.
02
Custody and Placement
Once paternity is addressed, parents may need orders for legal custody and physical placement.
03
Child Support
A paternity case can include child support, variable expenses, and related financial obligations.
04
Parenting Plans
The case may involve decision-making, schedules, transportation, communication, and relocation issues.
Paternity Issues
What a paternity case can help resolve.
Paternity cases can affect legal rights, responsibilities, money, parenting time, and the child’s long-term stability.
02
Custody and placement
Parents may need clear orders about decision-making authority and where the child lives day to day.
03
Child support and expenses
Support, variable expenses, medical costs, and other financial issues may be part of the case.
04
Parenting plans
The parties may need a detailed parenting plan addressing schedules, communication, holidays, transportation, and school issues.
05
Name changes and relocation
Some cases may involve a child’s legal name, relocation concerns, or disputes about future parenting arrangements.
Common Questions
Understanding paternity.
Every family law matter is different. These answers are general information and not a substitute for legal advice about your specific situation.
When is a paternity action needed?
A paternity action may be needed when a child is born to parents who are not married and legal rights or responsibilities need to be established.
Does a father automatically have legal rights if parents are unmarried?
Not always. Legal action may be needed to establish rights, responsibilities, custody, placement, or support obligations.
Can a mother use a paternity case to seek support?
Yes. A mother may need legal assistance to obtain child support and protect custody and placement rights.
What issues can be decided in a paternity case?
Paternity, custody, placement, child support, variable expenses, parenting plans, relocation, and related matters may be addressed.
Paternity Case Planning
Prepare for decisions about parentage, support, and placement.
Paternity cases can shape both the child’s daily routine and the parents’ legal responsibilities. Organized preparation matters.
What to Prepare
Birth information, parenting history, support records, communication records, expense details, proposed placement schedules, and any existing agreements.
What to Discuss
Establishing legal parentage, custody and placement rights, support obligations, parenting plans, variable expenses, and possible relocation issues.
Paternity Attorneys
Experienced family law counsel for paternity matters.
Vanden Heuvel & Dineen, S.C. helps parents protect their rights and their child’s interests in Wisconsin paternity cases.
Attorney
Linda S. Vanden Heuvel
Experienced Wisconsin family law counsel for paternity, child support, custody, placement, divorce, mediation, settlement negotiations, and litigation.
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Attorney
Lisa M. Vanden Heuvel
Family law guidance involving paternity, child support, custody, placement, adoption, mediation, and Guardian ad Litem matters.
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Find Us
Four Locations Across Wisconsin
Conveniently located to serve you, no matter where in Wisconsin you are.
Germantown
W175N11086 Stonewood Dr
Germantown, WI 53022
West Bend
246 S 5th Ave.
West Bend, WI 53095
Sister Bay
10589 S Highland Rd., Suite 9
Sister Bay, WI 54234
Sturgeon Bay
342 Louisiana Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Need Paternity Guidance?
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If you need to establish paternity, address custody or placement, seek child support, or protect your parental rights, speak with Vanden Heuvel & Dineen, S.C. to understand your next step.
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