Long Island Paternity Lawyers
You are in your child’s life every day, but the law does not recognize you as that child’s father. Anyone can use that gap against you. Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C., has resolved more than 26,000 Long Island family law cases over 30 years, including high-conflict paternity disputes. We act fast to protect your standing.
Understanding Legal Paternity Under New York Law
For unmarried fathers, New York law provides two paths to legal paternity. Unmarried parents can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP). If both parties do not sign an AOP, either party can file a Paternity Petition under Article 5 of the New York Family Court Act. The court then issues an Order of Filiation.
Your name on the birth certificate alone, without a signed AOP or court order, gives you no legal rights in New York. As an unwed father, you cannot enforce custody or visitation without a court order, even when you live with your child. We can immediately file to change that, handling paternity proceedings at Nassau County Family Court in Westbury and Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip.
How Court-Ordered Paternity Testing Works In New York
A court-ordered DNA test eliminates uncertainty. We petition Family Court for that order directly:
- Buccal swab samples from the child and the alleged father
- Accredited lab testing under chain-of-custody protocols
- Results at 99% or higher statistical certainty
When a mother refuses to produce the child for testing, we return to court and enforce the order.
Defending Against False Paternity Accusations In New York
If you face support demands for a child who is not yours, we act without delay. We challenge improper AOP signatures and demand DNA testing to resolve the question on record. Courts can apply equitable estoppel to hold a nonbiological man legally responsible as a father if he has acted as the child’s father for an extended period, even after learning he is not the biological parent. We build a defense before a court uses it against you.
Next Steps After You Secure An Order Of Filiation
An Order of Filiation unlocks immediate legal action. Once the court enters that order, you can pursue:
- Custody: File for joint or sole legal custody of your child
- Visitation: Secure a formal parenting time order
- Child support: Set fair support under New York law
When you have standing, we help you enforce it.
Your Child Deserves A Father The Law Recognizes
The law does not protect a bond it does not recognize. Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C., operates from Melville with attorneys in Nassau County and Suffolk County courts every day. Call our office at 631-388-6009 or reach out to us online to schedule your consultation.