Schedule a Consultation
Call Us Now!
Your Community Law Firm

Illinois Paternity Attorneys

Illinois paternity attorneys who will protect your parenting rights. Call us today for a free consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
Smiling womanAttorney Kevin O'Flaherty

"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"

Top 3 Qualities to look for in Your Attorney

Watch Our Video

We believe your attorney should not speak in legalese

Finding an attorney who is a “real person” can be difficult. Many attorneys surround themselves almost exclusively with other attorneys and are accustomed to speaking in ivory tower legalese.  You should be able to connect with your attorney on a personal level, and he or she should speak to you in plain language that you can understand.  You will be working very closely with this person on issues that are very important to you. It is important that he or she be down-to-earth and someone that you connect with.

We believe your attorney should be accessible

The most common complaint that clients have of their attorneys is that the attorney is unreachable, does not communicate with them regularly, or does not promptly return your calls.  Your attorney should reach out to you about your case regularly and respond within 24 hours to calls and e-mails.  An open line of communication between you and your attorney is essential to building trust.

We believe your attorney should be realistic with you about costs and outcomes

Your attorney’s goal should not be to win at all costs.  Rather, it should be to achieve a favorable outcome for you as efficiently as possible.  It is important that your attorney set realistic expectations at the outset as to the costs you should expect, the concerns that the attorney has about the outcome of your case, and the length of time that you should expect your case to take.

Regardless of the nature of your case, we have an experienced attorney who will focus on your individual needs. Our team of attorneys works closely together, bringing each of their different fields of experience to bear in order to optimize our client care.

See why we are trusted

Kevin's firm handled setting up my will and trust recently. They took something that seemed intimidating and made it easy to understand. I've also referred a couple clients to Kevin - he's trustworthy, approachable and very fairly priced.

Christi M.

"I've used Kevin and his firm's services since 2011. He gave undivided attention to my cases, advised me on different options and..."

Marvin

"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"

Rachel B.

"...your articles on the changes to the child support law are very well-written and informative.”

Julianne

“It’s good to open the door of creative vision to offer a service that may motivate other attorneys to do the same. Keep up the good work.”

LuQman

"Great set of articles. I was divorced in 2014 with one child and would have certainly considered you had I seen these types of articles then."

DJ

More information about our Illinois Paternity Attorneys

At O'Flaherty Law, our experienced Illinois paternity attorneys will be your aggressive advocates, ensuring that you and your loved ones receive excellent representation at affordable rates. We will use every tool at our disposal to give you a favorable resolution to your paternity case.

Expertise Best Child Support Lawyers in Chicago 201710 Best 2016 Client Satisfaction American Institute of Family Law AttorneysAvvo Clients' Choice 2016 DivorceRising Stars Kevin P. O'Flaherty SuperLawyers.com10 Best Law Firms 2018 Client Satisfaction American Institute of Family Legal Counsel Attorneys Estate Planning Law40 under forty

Contact Us

Please contact our friendly lawyers to Schedule a Consultation.

(331) 330-7466
info@oflaherty-law.com

What to Expect From a Legal Consultation

The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.

Schedule a ConsultationLearn More About The Firm

Location

Office Address

1515 Legacy Cir., Ste. 1

Naperville, IL 60563

Get Directions
Google My Business
Bing

Hours of Operation

Monday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Attorneys

Meet the Owner

I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team.  Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys.  Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us.  They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates.  We are here to help!

- Attorney Kevin O'Flaherty, Owner

Further Reading from our Illinois Paternity Attorneys

How to File an Illinois Paternity Suit

Different Types of Illinois Paternity Suits

In this article, our Illinois paternity attorneys explain the different types of paternity cases that we handle. There are three different primary types of paternity cases that can be filed in Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984.  The Parentage Act controls issues arising from children born out of wedlock.  These suits are:

  • A court action to establish paternity by mutual consent of both parents;
  • Contested paternity cases; and
  • Suits to prove that an individual is not the father of the child in question.

Who Can File a Paternity Suit

Our Illinois paternity lawyers explain who can file a paternity suit. A paternity suit to establish a father-child relationship may be filed by the child, the mother, anyone claiming to be the child's father, or any individual or government agency that is providing financial assistance to the child.

‍By contrast, only the child's mother or the child's "presumed father" have standing to file suit to establish the non-existence of a father-child relationship.   

When can a contested paternity suit be filed?

Contested paternity suits can be filed before the birth of the child.  However, all of the proceedings will be stayed until the child is born, except for depositions to preserve evidence and blood tests.

‍Suits to establish the existence of the father-child relationship may be filed until the child reaches the age of twenty.  However, the statute of limitations bars suits to establish the non-existence of the father-child relationship once two years have passed since the time that the father obtains knowledge of the relevant facts.

Our Illinois paternity attorneys have extensive experiences in all three types of paternity suits.

Read more by our Illinois paternity attorneys about the different types of Illinois paternity cases.

Watch Our Video

How to Establish Paternity By Consent at Birth in Illinois

Establishing Paternity by Consent at Birth

In this article, our Illinois paternity lawyers explain how to establish paternity by consent at birth.

When a child is born to parents who are not married, hospitals and midwives are required by the Illinois Vital Records Act to provide the parents with the following forms that will allow the parents to simply and easily establish paternity by mutual consent, assuming that both parents agree.  These forms include:

  • A petition to declare paternity by consent; and
  • An agreed order to be entered by the court in which the petition is filed, which will establish paternity.
  • If the parents are in agreement about paternity, they can execute these forms and deliver them to the clerk of the circuit court.  The judge will then enter the agreed order without requiring the parents to appear in court.

If a "presumed father" (defined below) exists and is different from the father consenting to paternity, either the "presumed father" must sign the petition documents, or the mother must submit an affidavit testifying that she has provided notice to the presumed father according to the requirements set forth in the Illinois Parentage Act. Our Illinois paternity attorneys will be happy to assist you in preparing and filing your consent paternity forms.

Watch Our Video

The "Presumed Father" in Illinois Paternity Cases Explained

In this article, our Illinois paternity attorneys explain the concept of a "presumed father" in Illinois paternity cases.

If there is a "presumed father," as defined by the Illinois Parentage Act, there is a higher standard of proof required to show that the "presumed father" is not actually the father of the child.  The "presumed father" is also entitled to certain notices, described below, if the mother or a third party attempt to establish that someone other than the "presumed father" is the father of the child.

According to the Illinois Parentage Act, you are the "presumed father" of a child if any of the following is true:

  • You were married to the child's mother, in a civil union, or in a substantially similar relationship at the time of birth;
  • You were in a marriage, civil union, or a substantially similar relationship that was terminated within 300 days prior to the child being born;
  • You were in an invalid marriage or civil union at the time of birth or within 300 days prior to the time of birth, which was entered into in apparent compliance with the law;
  • You married the child's mother after the birth of the child and are listed as the child's father on the birth certificate.  

Read more by our Illinois paternity lawyers explaining how to prove paternity in Illinois.

Watch Our Video
Legal articles, videos, and podcasts

Learn About Law

Family Law & Divorce

Recent Changes to Indiana Child Support Laws 2024

View Article
Guardianship Law

How to Get Temporary Guardianship of a Minor in Illinois

View Article

Can a Creditor File a Claim Against a Deceased Person’s Joint Tenancy Assets Or a Claim Against the Survivor and Joint Tenant?

View Article