Paternity is the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child. In Indiana, if a child is born to unmarried parents, the father does not automatically have legal rights, even if his name is on the birth certificate. Paternity must be legally established.



Ways to Establish Paternity in Indiana:

1. Paternity Affidavit – Parents can sign this voluntary form at the hospital or later through the local health department.
2. Court Order – If there is disagreement or uncertainty, paternity can be established through a court proceeding, sometimes involving DNA testing.

Why Paternity Matters

Establishing paternity gives fathers important legal rights, such as:

• The right to request parenting time with the child.
• The ability to make decisions about the child’s health, education, and welfare (if legal custody is granted).
• The opportunity for the child to have access to medical history and inheritance rights.

For mothers, it can mean child support and shared responsibility for raising the child.

Parenting Time for Indiana Fathers

Once paternity is established, fathers can ask the court for parenting time (sometimes called visitation). Indiana has Parenting Time Guidelines, which provide a framework for parenting schedules depending on the child’s age and developmental needs.

Some key points fathers should know:

• Infants and young children may have shorter, more frequent parenting time to help build bonds.
• Older children often follow weekend and holiday schedules that alternate between parents.
• Flexibility is encouraged. Parents are expected to work together to make schedules that support the child’s best interests.

Common Challenges Fathers Face

• Delays in filing: Fathers sometimes wait too long to establish paternity, which can make it harder to secure parenting rights.
• Misunderstanding rights: Father's sometimes do not understand what is required in Indiana to ensure their rights.
• High-conflict situations: When parents struggle to communicate, the court may step in to create structured parenting time plans

Tips for Fathers Navigating Paternity and Parenting Time

• Act quickly to establish paternity if you are not married to the child’s mother.
• Document your involvement and efforts to be present in your child’s life.
• Learn Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines so you know what to expect.
• Keep communication with the other parent respectful and focused on the child.

Final Thoughts

Paternity and parenting time are not just legal matters—they are about relationships, bonding, and being present in your child’s life. Understanding the process can help fathers protect their rights while ensuring their children receive the love and care they deserve

This post was written by Chelle Hendershot, who is a dedicated Mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Parenting Coordinator at Hope For Our Future, LLC, with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate through life's most challenging moments. This post is not intended to be legal advice and is for marketing purposes only.