It is never an easy situation when you find out that your girlfriend/spouse/significant other is pregnant especially if you were never expecting to be the father of a baby. We know that you have a lot of questions regarding your rights and your role during this process, whether you and the mother of your child decide to parent or choose adoption.

Why is it important to establish if I am the father?
It is important to all of us to know who we are and where we come from. Your child has a right to know his or her parents. And you have a right to know that you have a child and the right to know your son or daughter. It is also important for your child to be given the financial and loving support he or she needs from both parents.

What if I don’t think I am the father?
If the baby’s mother names you as the father and you do not agree, the court may decide if you are the father by the proof you and the mother provide. You can also voluntarily take a paternity test or the court may also order genetic testing. This testing is the most reliable and powerful method of proving or disproving if you are the father.

Where can I go for paternity testing and who will pay for it?
If you volunteer for paternity testing, the State of Nebraska will pay for the testing if the baby’s mother has Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) support from the State. If you are ordered by the court and proven as the father, you may be asked to pay back the money to the State of Nebraska. Please call us at Nebraska Children’s Home Society for further resources available to you in your local area or call the DNA Diagnostic Center at 1-800-DNA-CENTER for more information.

What support is expected from me as the father?
You are legally responsible to provide financial support for your child. Please understand that your child is entitled to financial support and that you should want to give your child what he or she needs to grow in a healthy and safe environment. You are expected to pay support based on the mother’s and your income. In addition, you may be ordered to provide health insurance and help pay the cost of your child’s birth or medical expenses.

What rights does the father have?
If the father does not think he is the father, he has the right to paternity testing and the right to hire an attorney. If he is the father, he has the right to ask the courts for custody or visitation rights. In addition, if he signs the Acknowledgement of Paternity form, the mom and he can ask that his name be shown on the birth certificate.

What if I want adoption and the mother of our child chooses to single parent?
Ultimately, the mother must sign relinquishments to complete the adoption plan. If the mother does not choose to relinquish her rights and wants to single parent that is her right. It is important to consider what is in the best interest of the child and Nebraska Children’s Home Society is here to help during this difficult decision. Whether the child is placed with an adoptive couple or the mother chooses to parent, we encourage involvement and support from the father. For more information please contact Nebraska Children’s Home Society or email us at support@nchs.org.

HOW WE CAN HELP
We can help you with your personal plan, and we can give you more information about how to decide whether or not single parenting is for you. Remember, you can call our toll-free number at any time- 800-390-6754 or reach a caseworker at a local office or email us at support@nchs.org .

We’re here to help you no matter what you decide. We are simply interested in helping you to find the best plan for you and your child. Once you get together with one of our caseworkers, we can talk about taking care of your pregnancy-related needs and about the decisions that lie ahead for you.

Your meetings and phone calls will all be held in the strictest of confidence, and you won’t be obligated to do anything. We want to see your child living a happy life with the best possible chances for meeting his or her own goals for a great future. Call or e-mail us to find out more about how we can help you to make the best decision for your baby and for you.