Question 2

What does "parentage" mean and why is it important to establish parentage?

Answer

Parentage is the legal relationship existing between a child and the child's natural or adoptive parents. A parent and child relationship includes the mother and child relationship and the father and child relationship. The law confers or imposes rights, privileges, duties, and obligations when parentage is established. The Department of Child Support Services is required to establish paternity and maternity (parentage) of your child(ren) whenever public assistance or Medi-Cal coverage benefits are being paid for your child(ren). In cases where no public assistance or Medi-Cal benefits are being paid, the Department of Child Support Services will establish parentage when either parent requests the service.

• legal establishment of parental rights and responsibilities
• the opportunity to give your child your legal name if both parents choose
• the ability to add your child to your health insurance plan
• the assurance that social security or veteran's benefits are paid to your child in the case of death or disability, if eligible
• protecting your child's right to inherit
• custody and visitation can be ordered by the court after parentage has been established
  

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