Establish Paternity Lawyer New Kent County, VA
When a child is born to unmarried parents in New Kent County, legal paternity does not exist automatically. Until paternity is legally established, a father has no enforceable rights to custody or visitation—and the child has no legal right to financial support, inheritance, or access to medical history from the father. For mothers, establishing paternity is often the critical first step toward securing child support. For fathers, it is the pathway to a meaningful relationship with the child. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., practices in family law matters including paternity actions, and together with his Of Counsel team he represents parents in New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and New Kent County Circuit Court. If you need to establish paternity, or if a petition has been filed naming you as the father, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Establishing Paternity Means in New Kent County
Under Virginia law, paternity is the legal determination of who a child’s father is. When a child is born to married parents, the husband is presumed to be the father. For unmarried parents, however, paternity does not exist unless it is voluntarily acknowledged or established through a court order. The relevant statutory framework is found in Va. Code § 20‑49.1 et seq., which provides the procedures for adjudicating parentage.
In New Kent County, paternity cases are heard in the New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court when they involve custody, visitation, or child support. If a paternity issue arises in the context of a divorce—for example, where a husband challenges paternity during an equitable distribution proceeding—the matter is heard in the New Kent County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court, located at 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124, has jurisdiction over divorce and related parentage disputes. Both courts sit in the Ninth Judicial District, and the judges apply the same statutory factors set out in Virginia Code Title 20. Because the court’s decision affects custody arrangements, financial obligations, and parental rights, the stakes are meaningful for everyone involved. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly in these courts and are familiar with the local practices that can influence how a paternity case unfolds.
New Kent County includes the communities of New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton, and sits between Richmond and Williamsburg along the I‑64 corridor. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients throughout the county from its Richmond location, and consultations are available by appointment. If you need to establish paternity or respond to a petition, call (888) 437-7747 to speak with a member of the team.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Paternity Cases
A paternity case in New Kent County begins when a parent, or in some instances the Virginia Department of Social Services, files a petition in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The petition asks the court to determine whether the named man is the biological and legal father of the child. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent both mothers and fathers in these proceedings. The legal process generally includes genetic testing, if paternity is disputed, and a hearing where the court reviews the evidence and enters an order of parentage.
Once paternity is established, the court has the authority to address custody, visitation, and child support as part of the same proceeding. Virginia child support guidelines, found at Va. Code § 20‑108.1, base the support obligation on the combined gross income of the parents and the number of children, with adjustments for health insurance and work‑related childcare costs. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work with clients to gather the financial documentation the court needs and to advocate for a parenting arrangement that serves the child’s best interests under the factors listed in Va. Code § 20‑124.3. Because Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor, he understands how to present evidence persuasively and to cross‑examine witnesses when testimony is disputed. The timeline of a paternity case depends on court scheduling, whether genetic testing is needed, and whether the parents can reach agreement on custody and support issues. Throughout the process, the firm keeps the client informed and prepared for each court date.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He is a former prosecutor whose trial experience informs his approach to family law litigation, including contested paternity matters. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
Mr. Sris works alongside Of Counsel attorneys who share his commitment to thorough preparation and clear client communication. The team brings extensive combined legal experience, with backgrounds that include prior service as a Virginia State Trooper, a Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney, and a contract attorney for a municipal child‑welfare agency. The firm handles all aspects of family law, and in paternity cases the team focuses on building a record that protects the client’s rights—whether the goal is to establish parentage, secure support, or obtain a custody and visitation order. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to establish paternity in Virginia?
Establishing paternity is the legal process of determining a child’s father when the parents are not married. In Virginia, paternity can be established voluntarily by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity form, or it can be established through a court order after a petition is filed. Once paternity is established, the father gains the right to seek custody and visitation, and the child gains the right to financial support from the father. The court can also address custody and support in the same proceeding. If you have questions about your rights, call (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel.
Do I need a lawyer to establish paternity in New Kent County?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file a paternity petition, but an experienced family law attorney can help you understand the legal process and protect your parental rights. If the other parent contests paternity, the court will likely order genetic testing. Legal counsel can help ensure the testing is done correctly and can advocate for your position at the hearing. If custody and support are at issue, a lawyer can present the financial evidence the court needs to issue a fair order. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
How is paternity established when the father denies he is the parent?
If the alleged father denies paternity, the court will generally order DNA testing through a court‑approved laboratory. Under Virginia law, the results of genetic testing that show a probability of parentage of 98 percent or higher create a presumption of paternity. The court then decides the legal question of parentage based on the test results and any other relevant evidence. If you are facing a contested paternity case, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your options.
What rights does a father gain after paternity is established?
Once paternity is legally established, a father can petition the court for custody and visitation, and he also becomes responsible for child support. The father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate, and the child gains inheritance rights and access to the father’s medical history. In New Kent County, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles custody and support matters, and the court applies the trusted‑interest‑of‑the‑child factors in Va. Code § 20‑124.3 to determine the parenting arrangement. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent fathers who want to assert their parental rights. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
Where are paternity cases heard in New Kent County?
In New Kent County, paternity petitions are filed in the New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, which handles custody, visitation, and child support. If the paternity question arises within a divorce proceeding, the case is heard in the New Kent County Circuit Court. Both courts are located at 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly in these courts and are familiar with the local procedures. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer for my paternity case?
The Virginia Department of Social Services can assist with paternity establishment and child support enforcement, but a private attorney may be able to address related custody and visitation issues that the agency does not handle. If you are unsure which route is right for you, a consultation can help you understand the full scope of your options. Fees vary by case; contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss the details of your matter.
Related Practice Areas:
Richmond Family Law Lawyer |
New Kent County Divorce Lawyer |
New Kent County Child Custody Lawyer |
New Kent County Child Support Lawyer
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Results may vary.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.