Bend, Oregon Paternity Lawyer
Assistance with Paternity Proceedings in Oregon
At Baxter Harder, LLC , we know that when it comes to establishing paternity in Oregon, a legal action will need to be undergone. This action, called a filiation, will show biological fatherhood of a man who was not married to the mother of a child. Establishing paternity is important for all parties who are involved. Once paternity is established; the legal father is able to gain rights to custody and visitation, and also obtains legal obligations related to being the child’s father. The child is then able to inherit from the legal father and the mother may be able to obtain child support. Our paternity attorneys, can help with the Oregon paternity laws and provide you with the information you need.
Our Bend paternity attorneys understand Oregon's paternity laws. Contact us today at (541) 238-9210 to discuss your situation and get the help you need!
Establishing Paternity in Oregon
There are several different ways for paternity to be established. A paternity proceeding can begin through the state, the child’s guardian, the other, or the assumed father.
The other ways to establish paternity include:
- Through presumption, if the parents are married at the time of the child’s birth
- By administrative proceeding
- By filling out a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form with the Center for Health Statistics (In cases when the parents marry at a time post conception)
- By having the biological father filing with the State Registrar of the Center for Health Statistics a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form
How to Establish Paternity Through Court Proceedings
If there is no agreement on paternity matters, you can establish paternity through a court proceeding, called a filiation. The person filing is the “petitioner” who can initiate it when a child is born out of wedlock or when the mother is pregnant with a child who might be born out of wedlock.
The “respondent” can be one or more individuals, such as:
- The assumed father of the child
- The husband of the woman who may have a child born out of wedlock
- The mother of a child born out of wedlock
- The woman pregnant with a child who may be born out of wedlock
- The duly appointed / acting guardian of a child or conservator of a child’s estate
How to Establish Paternity Through Blood or DNA Testing
In a paternity action, blood or DNA tests are often used. They can be ordered by the court and state to assess the likelihood that the man in question is the biological father of the child. If the test reflects paternity to a 99% or more certainty, paternity is presumed and the court will then enter a judgment with those findings. In some cases, paternity is also provable in court through documentary and testimonial evidence.
This can be a complicated area of the law. For more information, please contact a Bend paternity lawyer at Baxter Harder, LLC by calling (541) 238-9210.

Benefits of Baxter Harder
Reasons to Choose Us-
Over 60+ Years of Combined Experience
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Work With an Experienced Former Deputy District Attorney at the Firm
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Extensive Trial Experience
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When you choose our team of experienced lawyers, we will take the time to listen to your needs and remain focused on that as we proceed with your case. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide the quality legal representation you need.