Paternity In Military


The military has legal assistance available for members who are involved in a paternity dispute or issue of child support and custody. If the child is illegitimate the potential father would be required to provide support when paternity is established through paternity proceedings. The father can either acknowledge the child willingly or participate in a court proceeding to establish paternity through testing.

The Army Regulation 608-99 ensures that members have legal guidance for paternity claims. This is because when paternity is established a child is entitled to financial support and government benefits as the child of a military member.

Paternity is established through the state and not through the military/ It can be done administratively or through a court proceeding. Statistics show that a majority of men acknowledge paternity through administrative proceedings.

There are however government agencies set-up to enforce child support orders and locate parents for establishing orders. They can garnish wages through a parents employer and or assets. These are state programs and information for the local offices can be found on the web-page for the Office of Child Support Enforcement.

When a child is born out of wedlock you must establish paternity to collect child support. A paternity proceeding will use evidence to determine if a potential father is indeed that child’s biological father. During this time either parent can ask for a DNA test. DNA test have evolved so paternity is established without a doubt.

If a mother has a child out of wedlock she can send a letter to the soldier or his commanding officer so that she can request support through an enforcement agency. This can also be done through divorce, annulment or spousal support or by a state welfare office.
Information on Paternity In Military