Establishing Paternity in Texas

Having a legal father in Texas, and any other state for that matter, comes with numerous advantages. First are the intangible benefits, which include emotional security and support and paternal guidance. Second, the determined biological father will also be obliged to provide child support to the mother for education, health care, and other child care expenses. Third is securing the child’s future through government benefits, inheritance rights, insurance claims, worker’s compensation in case of father’s death, and more.


The same goes for the biological father who wants to establish paternity — There is nothing more rewarding for a parent than to help his child and spend quality time with them whenever possible. Here in the Lone Star State, there are three known ways on how this is possible.


Voluntary Acknowledgement


The most immediate way to establish paternity is during the time of birth of the child. The parents, regardless if they are married, can properly accomplish, sign, and file an Acknowledgement of Paternity, which will immediately determine that the signed father is the child’s biological and uncontested father. If either parents change their decision for whatever reason, they can withdraw the Acknowledgement of Paternity within 60 days of filing.


Paternity Through Presumption


Under Texas law, the man married to the mother of the child within 300 days after birth is presumed as the father. This can be further supported in the future by a marriage certificate and the child’s birth certificate. If there is no marriage, the father can still legally presume paternity if he has been living with and taking care of the child during his/her first two years after birth and is publicly declaring that he is the father. The presumption can be contested and declined through properly filing the Denial of Paternity.


Court Order


If the two above mentioned ways are not accomplished or if there is a complication in the future, this is where a paternity suit, or the Adjudication of Parenthood, comes in. The judge can order a genetic/DNA test as per request in order to determine the child’s biological father. Once proven, the court orders the deemed parental rights and obligations to the father, i.e. visitation rights, child support. Often times this method requires a family lawyer with ample experience and know-how in paternity cases.


Did you know that Mike Warner is known to provide expert legal counsel for paternity cases in Amarillo Texas? If you are currently looking for a legal representative, you can count on The Warner Law Firm in resolving your paternity case with as minimal stress as possible. Call us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you and your loved ones.

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Texas Injury Claims

December 22, 2025
Were you recently injured due to the negligence of another party? We hope not, but we understand that these types of incidents can occur at any time. In fact, you are probably eager to do whatever it takes to get healthy and return to your normal life as soon as possible. That’s all fine and good, but do not let the clock run out on your personal injury claim in Texas. A statute of limitations may sound confusing, but it affects your right to pursue compensation. Here’s what you need to know, broken down in simple terms so you can protect your rights in Texas. What Is the Statute of Limitations? Before we jump into Texas law, let’s first discuss the basics of statutes of limitations. Simply put, it is a countdown. Statutes of limitations are laws that limit the time within which you can file a lawsuit in court. The time usually starts running on the date of the injury. If you miss the deadline, a judge will almost certainly dismiss your case, even if you have a strong claim, and serious injuries. There are very limited exceptions to this rule, which we will discuss below. The purpose of a statute of limitations is to make sure people bring their lawsuits when evidence is still available, and witnesses still remember the accident. The Standard Two-Year Time Limit for Texas Personal Injury Claims Texas has a two-year time limit for almost all personal injury cases, regardless of the type of case or the cause of the accident. The two-year time limit applies to all car accident cases, slip and fall injuries, trucking accidents, and any other type of personal injury case where a negligent person or company causes you injuries and losses. Therefore, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Texas. For example, if you were injured in an accident that happened on January 15, 2025, you must file a lawsuit before January 15, 2027, or your case will be dismissed. Two years might seem like a long time, but it will take time to figure out how to build a case. It is important to preserve evidence, gather information, negotiate with the insurance companies, and of course, you also need time to recover from your injuries. For this reason, you should contact a lawyer immediately.

A Guide to Modifying Child Support Orders in Texas

December 8, 2025
Life does not stop, no matter how many court orders are signed. After you have gotten a divorce or finished a custody case, chances are that things will change. Perhaps you lost a job, got a new promotion, or maybe your child’s circumstances have altered in ways that you can’t have predicted. When that happens, your original child support order may quickly fall out of sync with your current situation. If you are in this boat and wondering what to do about it, you are in the right place. In this guide, we will take you through the process of getting your child support modified in Texas. We’ll cover the rules on when and how this can happen, along with some of the most common reasons modifications are granted and what you need to do if you want to get started. Grounds for Modification in Texas The first thing to keep in mind is that a child support order cannot be changed at will or without good reason. The state of Texas has specific guidelines about what sort of changes in your situation are significant enough for a modification to be considered. The standard is a “material and substantial change” in your life, your child’s life, or the other parent’s life since the last court order. 

What is Alimony in Texas Who Qualifies and How It Works

November 14, 2025
Learn how alimony (spousal support) works in Texas, who qualifies, and how courts decide payment amounts and duration. Get expert legal help from The Warner Law Firm to protect your rights in divorce and spousal maintenance cases.