Paternity Lawyer Suffolk County, NY
When a child is born to unmarried parents, legal parentage does not attach automatically in New York.
Establishing paternity—or challenging its establishment—can shape custody arrangements, visitation schedules,
child support obligations, and access to family medical history. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys
represent clients in paternity proceedings before the Suffolk County Family Court and, when necessary,
the New York Supreme Court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has represented clients in New York since its founding
in 1997, and its attorneys appear regularly in Riverhead and other Suffolk County courthouses.
To speak with a member of the firm about a paternity matter, call (888) 437-7747.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Paternity Law Means in Suffolk County
Paternity is the legal determination of a child’s father. In New York, the Family Court Act and the Domestic
Relations Law provide the framework for establishing, challenging, and enforcing paternity orders. When parties
agree, an Acknowledgment of Paternity—a document signed by both parents and filed with the New York State
Department of Health—can create a legal relationship without a court proceeding. Where there is a dispute,
the matter proceeds to the Family Court, which has the authority to order genetic testing and, after a hearing,
to issue an order of filiation that legally declares the father.
In Suffolk County, paternity matters are heard at the Suffolk County Family Court, located at
400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip. The Family Court handles all initial paternity petitions, genetic marker
testing requests, and support and custody determinations related to the child. In some cases—particularly where
divorce, annulment, or equitable distribution issues are also pending—the paternity question may arise in the
context of a Supreme Court matrimonial action at the Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead. Mr. Sris and
the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are familiar with the procedural nuances in both courts and the expectations
of the attorneys, judges, and support magistrates in the 10th Judicial District.
The consequences of an established paternity finding are substantial. A legal father acquires rights to seek
custody and visitation, as well as the obligation to provide financial support according to the statutory
child-support formula. Mothers and children, in turn, gain access to benefits that flow from legal parentage,
including inheritance rights, Social Security dependent benefits, and health-insurance coverage. The Suffolk
County Department of Social Services may also initiate a paternity proceeding when a child receives public
assistance, in order to recover support from the non-custodial parent. Because the legal stakes are high,
representation by counsel familiar with local Family Court practices can make a meaningful difference in
how the matter is resolved.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Paternity Cases
Every paternity case begins with a careful assessment of the family’s circumstances. The firm’s attorneys
review the relationships among the parties, any existing acknowledgment of paternity or prior DNA test results,
the child’s residence, and the goals of the client. If genetic testing is required, the court will order a
test through an approved laboratory, and results are typically available within a few weeks. Mr. Sris and the
firm’s Of Counsel attorneys then advise the client on the legal impact of the test and, when appropriate,
negotiate a consent order that resolves parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support in a single
proceeding.
When agreement is not possible, the firm is prepared to present the case at a fact-finding hearing. The
attorneys examine witnesses, introduce documentary evidence—including birth records, correspondence, and
financial documents—and, if necessary, present experienced attorney genetic-evidence testimony. After a finding of paternity,
the focus shifts to the child’s best interests in establishing a custody and parenting-time arrangement and to
calculating child support under New York’s statutory formula. The firm works to secure a final order that is
clear, enforceable, and tailored to the family’s needs. Throughout the process, the attorneys appear at the
Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip and, when the matter is linked to a divorce action, at the
Supreme Court in Riverhead.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced law since
1997. He is admitted to practice in New York, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey.
Drawing on his prosecution background, he approaches each paternity case with a disciplined, evidence-focused
perspective. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of
2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional experience in family law and litigation, and they appear
regularly in Suffolk County’s tribunals. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys serve clients
throughout Long Island from the firm’s New York location. Although every family’s situation is unique, the
firm’s goal remains consistent: to help clients navigate the paternity process with clear, practical legal
guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to establish paternity in Suffolk County?
Establishing paternity creates a legal relationship between a father and child, which is essential for securing custody rights, parenting time, and financial support.
A legal father gains the right to seek custody and visitation, and the child becomes entitled to support,
inheritance rights, and benefits such as Social Security and health insurance. In Suffolk County, the Family
Court can issue an order of filiation that legally declares the father, and once paternity is established, the
court can also determine custody, parenting time, and child support in the same proceeding. For mothers,
establishing paternity ensures that the other parent shares financial responsibility for the child.
How is paternity established in New York?
Paternity can be established voluntarily by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity, or it can be
established through a court proceeding and genetic testing.
When both parents agree, they can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital after the child’s birth
or later at the local registrar or a New York State Department of Health office. If there is a dispute, either
parent, the child, or the Department of Social Services can file a petition in the Suffolk County Family Court
requesting an order of filiation. The court may order genetic marker testing through an approved laboratory.
If the test results show a sufficient probability of paternity, the court issues an order establishing the
legal father-child relationship.
Can a father request custody or parenting time once paternity is established?
Yes, once paternity is legally established, the father has the right to petition the Family Court for
custody or parenting time.
The court will determine custody and parenting time based on the best interests of the child, considering
factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent, the ability of each parent to provide a stable home,
and the child’s overall well-being. A father who has been declared the legal parent is on equal footing with
the mother to seek either sole or joint custody, as well as a regular parenting time schedule. The Suffolk
County Family Court will also address child support at the same time if it has not already been set.
What if the alleged father refuses to cooperate with genetic testing?
If the alleged father refuses to participate in court-ordered genetic testing, the Family Court may treat
his refusal as evidence of paternity and can enter a default order of filiation.
New York law authorizes the court to draw an adverse inference from a party’s failure to submit to testing. In
practice, a refusal often leads to the court entering an order declaring the person the legal father. The court
may also direct the individual to pay child support and contribute to the child’s medical expenses. Working
with an attorney can help a party understand the consequences of non-cooperation and explore alternative
resolutions before the court imposes a default finding.
Does the mother have any rights if paternity is not established?
If paternity is not established, the mother retains sole legal and physical custody of the child, but
she cannot obtain a child-support order against the alleged father.
Without a legal finding of paternity, the alleged father has no legal obligation to provide financial support,
and the child cannot inherit from him or access benefits such as Social Security survivor benefits. The mother
may also face difficulties obtaining certain public benefits if paternity has not been established. Because
New York law permits paternity to be established at any time before the child turns 21, a parent may still file
a petition even if years have passed, but early action can avoid long periods of unassisted parenting.
What is the difference between a paternity petition and a child-support petition?
A paternity petition asks the court to determine the legal father of a child, while a child-support
petition seeks an order requiring a parent to pay financial support.
In many Suffolk County cases, the two are filed together. If paternity has not yet been established, the Family
Court will first determine parentage before addressing child support. Once paternity is established, the court
applies New York’s statutory formula to calculate the support obligation based on each parent’s income and the
number of children. For unmarried parents, establishing paternity is therefore a necessary first step to
securing a child-support order.
For more information about family law representation in nearby counties, see the following:
Manhattan Family Law Attorney,
Queens Family Law Lawyer,
Staten Island Family Law Representation,
Nassau County Family Law Attorney.
Primary authority:
Suffolk County Supreme Court,
New York Domestic Relations Law.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.
Results may vary.