Paternity Fraud

The issues surrounding paternity fraud are both complex and emotional and can have significant legal and social implications. This deception can have serious impact on all parties involved, including the child, father, mother, and the wider family unit.

We are leading experts in paternity fraud and can assist when a man has been wrongly identified as the biological father of a child or children.

Our founder, Roger Terrell has worked on some incredibly complex and high-profile cases in the UK.

Specialist Paternity Fraud Solicitors

Paternity Fraud occurs when a mother intentionally or unintentionally misleads a man in thinking they are the biological father. In order to help you navigate through a  very complex scenarios, we will help you understand your rights in the following situations:

Misattributed paternity
Assisted reproductive technology fraud
Concealment of previous relationships
Rights of the deceived father

Rights of the child
Legal obligations
Legal remedies

Related Expertise

Why Choose Us?

Roger Terrell, who is our leading solicitor in this area has been involved in some very high-profile cases, prominently featured in the media, giving him the reputation of being one of the UK’s leading names in paternity law.

We are fully regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority and Members of Resolution, the UK Family Law Association

Paternity Fraud FAQs

Although accurate statistics are difficult to verify, it is thought that paternity fraud is relatively rare.

However, if you suspect that you might have been a victim of paternity fraud, we are experts in the field of paternity fraud and can advise you in all aspects of paternity law and offer any support you require.

If a man suspects he is a victim of paternity fraud, he can seek legal advice and consider undergoing a paternity test to establish if he is indeed the father.

If he has been financially supporting the child, he may have legal grounds to request a change in financial responsibilities if paternity is disproven. Our founder Roger Terrell is a renowned expert in this field, which means we can offer wide-ranging support and legal advice in the case of paternity fraud.

Paternity fraud can have a huge impact on a family, impacting the father and the mother, and most notably the child or children involved. This can lead to disputes over financial support both past and present and emotional distress too.

If it is determined through a paternity test that you are not the biological father of the child, you may be able to seek a refund of the child support payments you have made.

If you can provide conclusive evidence that you are not the father, the CMS may typically refund previous child maintenance payments from the date you told the CMS you were not the child’s parent.

However, this will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with a legal professional to understand your options and the process involved.

Paternity tests are typically highly accurate when determining whether a man is the biological father of a child.
However, cases of mistaken paternity can still occur due to errors in testing, misidentification, or fraudulent claims.

It is crucial to use a reputable testing service to ensure the reliability of the results.

While the mother have the right to refuse a paternity test, the alleged father can still perform a home test without needing the mother’s DNA.

If the mother refuses to determine paternity for legal reasons, the court can order a paternity test to be conducted.

Although a mother’s consent is typically required for her children to undergo a DNA test, the court can override her refusal if it considers the test to be in the child’s best interest.

Establishing paternity can be a detailed and time-consuming process that may involve negotiation, mediation, and legal action.

Rather surprisingly, in England and Wales, paternity fraud is not considered a criminal offence. Instead, it is treated as a civil injustice falling under the legal concept of deceit.

Reviews From Our Clients

I dealt with a very professional young lady, who presented herself well, was understandable and polite.

What more can anyone ask for?
Mrs E
There were plenty of opportunities to ask questions and we felt we received excellent advice and support.
Mr and Mrs H
I have no hesitation in recommending Terrells to anyone needing any form of legal advice and to thank you once again for all of your help. Long may you continue!
Mrs K
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