Paternity is legal fatherhood—and establishing it is one of the most important steps in the child support process. A man is generally presumed to be the father of children born to his wife during their marriage. The presumption of the husband’s paternity can be rebutted through court-ordered genetic testing. The circumstances under which paternity is presumed vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes—often in the statutes grouped together and known as the family code.
In Colorado, paternity, or legal fatherhood, is crucial in the child support process. Under Colorado law, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if the child is born during his marriage to the mother. This presumption can be challenged and potentially overturned with the help of genetic testing, which must be court-ordered. The specific conditions under which paternity is presumed or can be established are detailed in the Colorado Revised Statutes, particularly in the sections that pertain to family law. If paternity is in question, either parent can initiate legal proceedings to establish paternity. Once established, paternity has significant legal implications, including child support obligations, custody rights, and inheritance rights.