RightSolicitor Legal Discussion & Legal Advice

[Halewood]

DNA tests have proved i am the father of a child who has been until now raised by another man.
the non-court offficial Dna tests were taken between the child, the mother and me. The other man was unaware. The mother has now told him.
The mother and the other man are in the final stages of a divorce.
The mother would like me to be involved in her son's life. He is young and i would like that too.
The other man is understandably reluctant.
it is his name on the birth certificate. As i understand it, that means he has legal parental rights, despite the biological facts which he does not dispute. He is using that legal right to try prevent access to me.

1. How can the birth certificate be changed to reflect the true position (I'm not interested in changing my son's surname)? Can it be done without his consent?
2. What legal remedy might the other man have against me (eg in terms of payments) he has made on behalf of the child? (I'd known there was a possibility he was my son from day one; the informal dna test was taken when he was about 18 months); the other man was told the truth when he was five. he is now six. I have recently started paying maintenance. The other man continues to do so.
3. Until legal right is established on my side, does the other man have the legal power to block access by me to my son? (the mother is the custodian and allows me access).

Thanks

[stew]

The matter seems quite complex, I would certainly suggest contacting a good family solicitor in the 1st instance to see what legal powers your son's step father currently has and how you could try to remedy the situation.