Paternity

The Virginia Code allows a father to petition the Court to determine if he is the father of a child by genetic testing. LabCorp is a firm that often performs DNA tests. Even men, who thought they were the father of a child, can request a genetic test to determine paternity.

Whatever you do, do not admit to being the father of a child if you have any question. Once you admit to being the father, you may have obligated yourself to support that child until he or she is 18 years old. If you specifically acknowledge paternity, while knowing that you are not the father, you cannot later have the determination of paternity set aside. Never acknowledge paternity unless you are certain you are the father.