Paternity Legal Services in Lexington, Kentucky
Paternity questions often arise when parents need legal certainty about their role in a child’s life and how responsibilities will be handled moving forward. In Lexington and throughout Fayette County, unresolved paternity issues can affect parenting schedules, financial obligations, medical coverage, and participation in major decisions. Without a legal determination of parentage, courts may have limited authority to step in and resolve disputes.
At Stange Law Firm, PC, we represent individuals in Lexington who are seeking clarity through the paternity process. Our attorneys focus on helping clients establish legal parentage and obtain court orders that provide structure, predictability, and enforceability under Kentucky law.
When Paternity Becomes a Legal Issue
Many parents initially rely on informal arrangements. Over time, changes in circumstances or disagreements may make court involvement necessary. Paternity actions are often filed when parents need the court to formally address issues such as:
Parenting time schedules
Allocation of parental decision-making authority
Financial support responsibilities
Health insurance and medical support
Eligibility for benefits connected to legal parentage
Until paternity is legally established, these matters may remain unresolved or difficult to enforce.
Establishing Legal Parentage in Fayette County
Kentucky law provides more than one way to establish paternity, depending on whether parentage is agreed upon or disputed.
One option is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP), which allows parents to formally recognize parentage by signing a legal document. This is commonly completed shortly after birth but may also be done later.
When parentage is contested or unclear, either parent may file a paternity action with the court. In those cases, the court may review evidence, order genetic testing, and issue a ruling that legally establishes parentage. Once paternity is confirmed, the court may then address related parenting and financial issues.
What the Court Can Decide After Paternity Is Established
After legal parentage is determined, the court may issue orders covering a wide range of matters, including:
Parenting Time and Custody – setting schedules and living arrangements
Financial Support – applying Kentucky child support guidelines
Medical Support – determining responsibility for health coverage
Decision-Making Authority – clarifying who may make major decisions involving education and healthcare
Legal Benefits – including inheritance rights and eligibility for certain government benefits
All decisions are guided by the child’s best interests and are intended to promote long-term stability.
Factors That Can Complicate Lexington Paternity Cases
Some paternity matters involve additional complexities that require careful legal handling, such as:
Disputes regarding biological parentage
Requests for DNA testing
Presumptions created by marriage
Difficulty locating or obtaining cooperation from a parent
Ongoing disagreements related to parenting arrangements
Addressing these issues early can help avoid unnecessary delays and confusion.
A Structured, Practical Approach to Paternity Matters
Paternity cases are not just about establishing biological connections—they are about creating legal clarity that lasts. Stange Law Firm, PC works with clients to pursue court-recognized solutions that clearly define rights and responsibilities while reducing future conflict.
Our attorneys guide clients through each stage of the paternity process, explain available options, and help develop strategies tailored to their individual circumstances.
Contact a Lexington, Kentucky Paternity Attorney
If you need assistance establishing paternity or resolving related parenting or financial issues in Lexington or Fayette County, Stange Law Firm, PC is ready to help.
Stange Law Firm, PC – Fayette County (Lexington) Office
📞 859-203-2583
📍 424 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite 231, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
