avoid a paternity issue

A woman says I may be the father of her unborn child. I only met her once and we live in different states. I want nothing to do with the situation. If she files a paternity suit against me can I legally avoid it?

There really isn't a way to avoid it... if she files for a paternity test, then you would have to comply with the test. Do you believe that you are not the child's father? Because if that's the case, then you should want to have the test done. As far as "not having anything to do with the situation" goes, if you are this child's father, then you are responsible for this child, whether you want to be or not. And, it is your responsibility to take care of this child, and it will be the court's decision how that is handled. As far as being a part of this child's life, I don't believe that you have to do that. But, you will be financially responsible if you are the child's father. If you believe that you are the father, you should probably hire legal counsel...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

A woman says I may be the father of her unborn child. I only met her once and we live in different states. I want nothing to do with the situation. If she files a paternity suit against me can I legally avoid it?

No, you cannot legally avoid it. You do have a choice though if she does file:

1. You can respond by denying paternity and requesting a DNA test.

2. You can ignore the situation, refuse to respond, and be found to be the legal father by default. Even if you are not the bio father, you will be named the father.

My heartfelt advice is #1.