Des Plaines, Illinois Paternity Attorney
Establishing paternity is about protecting a child’s future and giving parents clear, enforceable rights and responsibilities. If you’re in Des Plaines or the greater Chicago area, and you have questions about legal fatherhood, what parenting time will look like, or how child support should be handled, you need calm guidance and a plan you can trust.
At The Rogoff Law Group P.C., we help mothers and fathers take the next step with compassion and clarity. Whether you want to confirm paternity, challenge it, or resolve parenting time and support after paternity is established, we’ll walk with you through the process with focus, respect, and your child’s best interests at the center of every decision.
Why Paternity Matters in Illinois
In Illinois, paternity is the legal foundation for parental rights. Until it’s established, a father may have no enforceable parenting time, and a child may be missing critical legal protections, like access to child support, health insurance coverage, inheritance rights, and certain benefits.
Paternity also protects parents. It reduces uncertainty and conflict by creating a clear legal framework for decision-making, parenting schedules, and financial responsibilities. For families in Des Plaines, Cook County, and surrounding communities, establishing paternity is often the first step toward stability, especially when parents are not married or there are disagreements about parentage.
Once paternity is handled correctly, families gain clarity. Then, they can move forward with less conflict and more security.
How an Illinois Paternity Attorney Can Help Your Family
A paternity attorney can:
- Explain your options clearly and help you choose a practical path forward
- Prepare and file paternity petitions and supporting documents
- Coordinate genetic testing when appropriate and protect your rights throughout
- Help establish parenting time and parental responsibilities (decision-making)
- Address child support, health insurance, and shared child-related expenses
- Represent you in court in Cook County and surrounding jurisdictions when disputes arise
Common Ways Paternity Is Established in Illinois
There are multiple ways to establish paternity in Illinois, and the right path depends on your circumstances and goals. If parents agree, the process can be straightforward. If there’s conflict, it can become emotional, especially when parenting time, support, or a child’s stability is at stake.
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP): Often signed at the hospital or later, this establishes legal paternity when both parents agree.
- Court order: When there’s disagreement, the court can establish paternity, often using genetic testing.
- Presumption of parentage: In some situations (such as marriage), Illinois law may presume parentage, which may be challenged if necessary.
What Happens After Paternity Is Established?
Once paternity is legally confirmed, the court can address the issues families need resolved: parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, child support, and other orders that protect the child and create predictability.
Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities
For many parents, this is the heart of the case. We help you build a plan that supports your child’s well-being while protecting your relationship with them, whether you’re seeking consistent parenting time, shared decision-making, or a structure that reduces conflict.
The goal is a workable plan your child can rely on: clear routines, realistic exchanges, communication boundaries, and enforceable terms that reduce future disputes.
Child Support, Health Insurance, and Financial Support
Illinois child support isn’t about blame. Rather, it’s about ensuring a child’s needs are met. After paternity is established, child support can be ordered, along with health insurance obligations and allocation of shared expenses. Financial support typically includes:
- Child support calculations, based on income and parenting time
- Health insurance coverage and uninsured medical expenses
- Childcare, school-related costs, and extracurricular expenses
- Enforcement options if support isn’t paid consistently
Support orders should be fair, accurate, and based on real financial information, so children are properly supported and parents aren’t overburdened.
When Paternity Is Disputed or Needs to Be Challenged
Not every case is about establishing paternity. Sometimes, it’s about correcting it. If you have serious doubts about parentage, or you believe paternity was established incorrectly, act quickly and carefully. These situations are sensitive and can carry major legal consequences, especially if support orders or parenting rights are already in place. Your paternity lawyer can help you by:
- Evaluating whether genetic testing is appropriate or required
- Reviewing signed acknowledgments, timelines, and legal options
- Petitioning the court when a legal challenge is available
- Protecting the child’s stability while resolving the dispute
We’ll give you straight answers about what Illinois law allows, what risks exist, and what steps can protect you and your child.
Our Family Law Practice Areas
Divorce Lawyer
Our Des Plaines divorce lawyers will help you navigate your uncontested or contested divorce, so you can move forward to enjoy your best life.
Child Custody
At The Rogoff Law Group, P.C., our child custody lawyers help ensure the right parenting plan is in place for your children to thrive.
Child Support
With over 29 years of experience helping parents maintain financial stability for their children, child support lawyer Scott D. Rogoff knows what it takes to help you win.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance attorney Scott D. Rogoff can help make sure equitable temporary, fixed-term, or permanent alimony orders are in place, so your financial future is safeguarded.
Prenuptial Agreements
Your assets, your inheritance, and your children’s rights are at stake. Prenuptial agreement lawyer Scott D. Rogoff can help ensure your finances are protected.
Call The Rogoff Law Group, P.C. to fight for your parenting rights in Illinois today. (847) 768-2194 or
Meet Our Happy Clients
“I hired Scott Rogoff to assist me with my divorce and after we met I knew I had hired the best attorney for the job. Scott always responded quickly to my phone calls and had a lot of experience. He was reasonably priced and fair. Thanks Scott for helping me get the outcome I was hoping for!”
“Scott makes the divorce process very clear and understanding. He is a compassionate person and tries to make it as easy and fair as possible for both parties. He is upfront about his cost and was the most reasonably priced attorney I interviewed out if the five that I considered. Scott was extremely helpful to me and my situation and I would absolutely recommend him to others. Just reach out to him for a consult to see what he would have in mind for your situation. He will work with you in person, remotely over the phone or zoom, or a combination of both – whatever works best for you.”
“I am so happy that I trusted Mr. Rogoff to handle my divorce case. His help with my case has changed my life and I cannot thank him enough. After our initial consultation, I was extremely impressed with how quickly he started working on my case and got things done. You can easily tell how much pride he takes in his work with how efficiently he works and communicates with his clients. He took a 5 year drawn out seperation and got my case taken care of in two months after hiring him! If you are in need of representation, you need to hire him. His experience and dedication to his clients is, in my opinion, unmatched. Seriously, do not waste time with anyone else. Mr. Rogoff made my legal experience completely painless and stress free. And again, I cannot thank him enough.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Paternity
If you’re searching for answers, you’re not alone. Paternity questions often come with fear, uncertainty, and high emotions, especially when a child’s daily life and a parent’s access to that child are on the line.
Do fathers have rights before paternity is established?
In most cases, enforceable parenting time and decision-making rights require legal paternity to be established. Until then, a father’s rights may be limited under Illinois law.
Can paternity be established if the parents were never married?
Many Illinois paternity cases involve unmarried parents, and the law provides clear ways to establish parentage.
Do we have to go to court to establish paternity?
If both parents agree, voluntary acknowledgment may be enough; if there’s disagreement, court involvement is usually required. A brief consultation with a paternity lawyer can save you months of stress by getting the process, and the paperwork, done correctly from the start.
We understand paternity matters aren’t just legal problems, they’re family problems. You deserve solutions that are legally strong and emotionally respectful.
Talk to a Des Plaines Paternity Attorney Who Will Treat Your Family With Care
You need a lawyer who listens, explains, and protects what matters: your child, your future, and your peace of mind. If you’re ready to establish paternity, set parenting time, or address child support concerns in Des Plaines, Illinois, we’re here to help. Call The Rogoff Law Group P.C. at 847-768-2194 to schedule a confidential consultation.