Alimony and Paternity: Your Rights Explained

Questioner

What to do if the father does not want to acknowledge the child in order to avoid having to pay alimony.

Lawyer

That is also not necessary. If the mother knows for sure that the man is the biological father, then the woman can simply ask for alimony through the judge. Because, the progenitor is also liable for alimony. If you want to initiate this, you can email me directly.

Questioner

Thank you very much for your answer! I will contact the mother and discuss this.

Lawyer

However, if the father was only a sperm donor, then alimony is not an issue. What is important is to what extent the child was conceived naturally. If the father denies that he is the progenitor, biological paternity can be demonstrated via a DNA test. This can even be legally performed without the voluntary cooperation of the father.

Questioner

The child was conceived naturally during a short-term relationship. The mother raised the child (now 11 years old) alone and has received some money from the father every now and then. However, the father has not paid anything for quite some time now and claims that he is not the father. Because the mother cannot make it financially without the father's contribution, she now wants to take action. I understand from the above answers that recognition is not necessarily necessary, but a DNA test, whether or not forced, may be necessary. How can the mother best approach this?

Lawyer

The mother will have to start a procedure through a lawyer. In that procedure, alimony is requested for the progenitor. If he denies being the progenitor, the judge can decide that DNA will be taken. You can ask me to assist the mother. I am prepared to do so in principle. You can email me directly.