Parentage Lawyer Nassau County

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents parents and prospective parents throughout Nassau County, New York in matters involving the legal establishment of parentage. Parentage determines who owes a duty of child support, who has standing to seek custody or visitation, and whose name appears on a child’s birth record and other legal documents. New York addresses these questions primarily through Article 5 of the Family Court Act, and the process can differ depending on whether the parties agree on parentage or dispute it. The firm’s intake line is staffed 24/7, and prospective clients may call (888) 437-7747 to request a scheduled consultation. The firm does not offer free consultations and does not guarantee any particular outcome in any parentage matter.

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Parentage Proceedings Under Article 5 of the Family Court Act

Family Court Act Article 5, titled “Paternity Proceedings,” contains the provisions that govern how parentage and the related duty of support are established in New York, including the jurisdictional and support provisions found in Part One of that article. Although the article-level heading still reads “Paternity Proceedings,” the language used within the article’s individual sections has shifted toward “parentage” terminology, reflecting amendments made by the Child-Parent Security Act. A parentage proceeding may be initiated to formally establish who a child’s legal parents are, which in turn determines rights and obligations relating to custody, visitation, and financial support. Nassau County residents pursuing or responding to a parentage proceeding typically do so in Nassau County Family Court.

Acknowledgment of Parentage and the Rescission Window

Family Court Act § 516-a governs the acknowledgment of parentage, a document that, once signed and properly filed, establishes legal parentage and the resulting duty of support without the need for a separate court proceeding. The statute’s official heading was changed from “acknowledgment of paternity” to “Acknowledgment of parentage” under the Child-Parent Security Act. A signatory has the right to rescind an acknowledgment of parentage within 60 days of signing it, or by the date of a related proceeding in which the signatory is required to respond, whichever occurs earlier; that window is extended for a signatory who was a minor at the time of signing. After the rescission window closes, a signed and filed acknowledgment can generally be challenged only upon proof of fraud, duress, or a material mistake of fact. Given how quickly the rescission window runs, parents should understand its terms before signing.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., which was founded in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris attended George Mason University, where he developed a background in accounting and information systems. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys assist clients in Nassau County with parentage matters arising under Article 5 of the Family Court Act, including acknowledgment of parentage disputes and related custody and support questions.

The firm’s principal office is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and the firm does not maintain a physical location in Nassau County. Meetings are by appointment, and the firm’s intake line is staffed 24/7 so prospective clients can request a scheduled consultation by calling (888) 437-7747. The firm does not offer free consultations, and no outcome in a parentage matter can be guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an acknowledgment of parentage?

An acknowledgment of parentage is a document that, when signed and filed under Family Court Act § 516-a, legally establishes a person’s parentage of a child and the corresponding duty of support, without requiring a separate court proceeding to establish those facts.

How long do I have to rescind a signed acknowledgment of parentage?

Under FCA § 516-a, a signatory generally has 60 days from the date of signing, or until a related proceeding requiring an answer, whichever is earlier, to rescind the acknowledgment. That window is extended for a signatory who was a minor when they signed.

Can an acknowledgment of parentage be challenged after the rescission window closes?

Yes, but only on a limited basis. Once the rescission period has passed, a challenge generally requires proof of fraud, duress, or a material mistake of fact.

Where are parentage matters handled in Nassau County?

Parentage proceedings involving Nassau County residents are generally handled in Nassau County Family Court under the provisions of Article 5 of the Family Court Act.

Does establishing parentage affect child support and custody?

Yes. Legal parentage is the basis for a duty of child support and for standing to seek custody or visitation, so establishing or contesting parentage often affects those related proceedings.

Does the firm offer a free consultation for parentage matters?

No. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. does not offer free consultations. Prospective clients can call (888) 437-7747 to request a scheduled consultation.

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.