Paternity

Paternity Attorney in Montgomery County

Boutique Family Law Representation for Mothers & Fathers in Montgomery County

Establishing legal paternity is the threshold event in many family law matters. Until parentage is legally recognized, neither custody nor support has a foundation the courts can act on. At Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC, our practice focuses exclusively on divorce and family law, and that includes paternity matters for both mothers and fathers throughout Montgomery County. We handle these cases as the legally consequential proceedings they are, and we carry clients through everything that follows.

Our firm is one of the largest boutique family law practices in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties, with over 100 combined years of experience. Founding partner Lori K. Shemtob is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a designation held by fewer than 75 family law attorneys in Pennsylvania, and has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer each year since 2006. Our team also includes Andrew D. Taylor, who serves as Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section.

If you’re facing a paternity matter in Montgomery County, call our paternity lawyers at (215) 544-3974 to discuss your situation.

What Sets Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC Apart

Every case we handle starts with understanding the details that matter to the person sitting across from us. We learn those details and carry them into every court appearance and every negotiation. That thoroughness shapes the strategy we build.

Our approach prioritizes negotiated resolution through four-way meetings and alternative dispute resolution whenever that serves our client’s goals. When it doesn’t, we litigate. Lori K. Shemtob is one of only 14 attorneys in Pennsylvania certified by the AAML as a family law arbitrator, and she is also a family law mediator. Multiple attorneys at the firm have been recognized as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. That range of credentials matters in paternity cases, which can move from a voluntary acknowledgment to a contested hearing to downstream custody and support proceedings, sometimes within a single case.

Talk to a Paternity Attorney in Montgomery County

Whether you need to establish paternity, respond to a petition, or understand what a paternity order means for custody and support, we can help. Our office is in Blue Bell, and we serve clients throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding region.

Call us at (215) 544-3974 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation with Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC.

What Legal Paternity Establishes in Pennsylvania

A name on a birth certificate creates an administrative record. It doesn’t create a legal parent-child relationship. In Pennsylvania, legal parentage requires either a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) signed by both parents or a court order. That distinction matters because without legal paternity, no court has jurisdiction to issue orders for child support, physical custody, or legal custody.

The consequences extend beyond custody and support. Legal paternity affects a child’s right to inherit under Pennsylvania law and gives doctors access to a complete family medical history. Paternity can be established at any point before the child’s 18th birthday, so the question rarely has a hard deadline, but waiting often complicates the process.

Two Paths to Establishing Paternity

How paternity gets established depends on whether both parties are willing to agree and what the circumstances of the child’s birth were.

Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity

When a child is born to an unmarried mother, both parents may sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form. This voluntary route avoids a court proceeding when both parties are in agreement. Signing an AOP carries significant legal consequences, though, and both parents should consult with a paternity lawyer before doing so. If the mother was married at the time of birth, Pennsylvania law presumes the husband is the father, a presumption that is strong and not easily overcome. Rebutting it generally requires a court proceeding and clear and convincing evidence, such as the husband’s lack of access to the mother during the period of conception or his inability to procreate.

Court-Ordered Paternity Proceedings

When the parties don’t agree, either parent can file a petition to determine paternity with the court. The court may order genetic DNA testing, the most reliable method for determining biological parentage. If a party refuses court-ordered testing, the judge may draw legal conclusions or apply Pennsylvania law accordingly. Pennsylvania also recognizes paternity by estoppel, a doctrine that can prevent a party from denying paternity when they have acted as a parent over time, with courts applying it based on the facts and applicable law.

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I appreciated David Draganosky’s informed guidance and willingness to move forward diligently, which set the stage for a favorable resolution. Your firm’s reputation for highly experienced, client-focused and efficient service is well-deserved.

- Former Client
I was wary about my rights as a father with my children and concerned about having enough time with them during the week and for holidays and breaks from school. Your help in hammering out a very detailed and fair custody agreement was appreciated more tha

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Lori Shemtob and her associates were the perfect choice. Lori has the perfect demeanor to defuse any volatile situation.

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Cynthia’s practical knowledge of negotiation and the law helped me in a tense situation where my ex-husband did not want me to take the kids with me and then refused to pay any support.

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How a Paternity Case Moves Through Montgomery County

Most paternity proceedings in Montgomery County run through the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Section (MCDRS), part of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, located in Norristown. The MCDRS is the local office responsible for establishing paternity and support orders. It coordinates genetic testing when appropriate and conducts support conferences. When parties can’t resolve matters at a conference, cases go before a Support Hearing Officer or a Judge.

Petitions can be submitted electronically through GOVLINK, the county’s online filing system, though documents aren’t officially filed until the MCDRS reviews and accepts them. Once paternity is confirmed by testing or agreement and the court issues an order, either parent can move forward with custody and support proceedings.

Informal support payments and court orders:
Support payments made before a court order carry no legal standing. Once the court recognizes the parental relationship, support payments are processed through a state disbursement unit, which can reduce disputes over whether payments were received or when.

Mediation after paternity is established:
After a paternity order is entered, mediation is available to help parents work through disagreements about custody and support. Reaching those agreements outside of a courtroom can produce a more stable foundation for co-parenting.

Multi-jurisdiction cases:
When parents live in different counties or states, the case may require coordination between jurisdictions under Pennsylvania and applicable federal law. These cases add procedural complexity that can benefit from experienced counsel from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Go to Court to Establish Paternity in Pennsylvania?

Not always. If both parents voluntarily sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, a court proceeding may not be required. A contested case, or one where one party refuses to acknowledge paternity, will require a court proceeding.

Can Paternity Be Established If One Parent Lives Outside Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania courts, including those in Montgomery County, can handle cases involving out-of-state parties under applicable state and federal guidelines.

What Happens If I Already Signed a Birth Certificate but Now Want to Challenge Paternity?

Challenges to an established paternity determination are possible in limited circumstances, such as the discovery of new evidence. Strict legal standards and timing requirements apply, and early legal counsel is important.

Can Paternity & Custody Be Handled at the Same Time?

After paternity is confirmed, either parent can request formal custody and visitation orders from the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. The paternity order is the prerequisite; custody is the next proceeding.

Does Establishing Paternity Affect Child Support?

Yes. Once legal paternity is established, either parent can pursue a child support order. Support arrangements have no legal standing until the court recognizes the parental relationship.

Is Paternity Information Kept Confidential?

Montgomery County applies privacy protections to family law matters. Court records in paternity cases are generally accessible only to authorized parties in the case.

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Our FAQ

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-544-3974 today!

How long has same-sex marriage been legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has recognized same-sex marriages since May 2014 when a U.S. federal district court judge ruled that Pennsylvania’s 1996 statutory ban on the recognition of same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Before then, Pennsylvania prohibited same-sex marriage and refused to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. In June 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that all states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize same-sex marriages validly performed in other jurisdictions. This significant decision legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States.
What Should I Do Before Contacting Your Firm?

It can help to gather key documents, such as basic financial records and any existing custody paperwork, and to think about your main concerns and goals. You do not need everything perfectly organized. Our role is to help you sort through information and identify next steps during the consultation.
Are Same-Sex Divorces Treated Differently Under Pennsylvania Law?

Pennsylvania law applies the same divorce and custody standards to same-sex and different-sex spouses. That said, the history of your relationship and parentage can raise unique questions. We pay close attention to those details and advocate for fair treatment of your family within the existing legal framework.

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What Drives Our Firm

Experienced. Strategic. Focused.

We Know the Law & Learn the Facts

We learn your story and we live it. Our team prides themselves on listening and learning every fine detail. More importantly, we remember those details in court and at the negotiation table. When you put your case in our hands, we provide you with the personal attention and commitment you and your case deserve.
Information Powers Outcomes
Our attorneys believe it is their duty to empower and educate people about their rights in divorce. Propelled by a responsibility to give back to the community, several divorce lawyers within the firm regularly speak and teach at civic groups and bar associations.
Reputable & Trusted Family Law Attorneys
Named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer each year since 2006, the firm’s founder, Lori K. Shemtob, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) — an esteemed honor held by only 74 family law lawyers in all of Pennsylvania. She served as AAML’s President of the Pennsylvania Chapter from July 2016 through July 2017.
From Big Firm to Boutique Firm

Our story begins with a group of lawyers who came from big firms with a passion to create a better experience for our clients. Each lawyer's knowledge and experience contribute to innovative strategies in court and settlement negotiations. Our commitment to excellence takes our divorce and family law firm well beyond the ordinary.