Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Paternity and the Recognition of Parentage

Recognition of Parentage
The Recognition of Parentage (ROP) is a legal document that can be signed and filed with the Minnesota Public Health Department to establish paternity when a child is born to unwed parents. The document is presented to the parents, to fill out, at the hospital and is signed by both parents.  By signing and filing the ROP paternity is established, and the filing the ROP makes establishing paternity through the court unnecessary.  The average time frame for paternity to be established through the court is several months. However, paternity can be established as soon as the Recognition of Parentage is filed with the Minnesota Public Health Department.

A Recognition of Parentage does establish paternity, but there are a few things that it does not do.  It is does not establish parenting time or set a child support.  To have parenting time established, if the child’s parents disagree, a court order must be issued by the court.

While filing a properly executed Recognition of Parentage is a faster process than obtaining a paternity judgment, there are some things to consider prior to signing and filing the Recognition of Parentage. 

- The Recognition of Parentage does not require a genetic test. 

- Once the Recognition of Parentage is signed and filed with the Minnesota Public Health Department, both parents give up the right for genetic testing to be done. 

- If there is any doubt as to whom the child’s father is, a genetic test should be obtained prior to signing the Recognition of Parentage. 

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