Are there any time limits to establishing the paternity of a child in Texas?

If there is a “presumed” father, meaning the mother was married to someone at the time of the child’s birth, then under most circumstances an order for paternity, testing would have to occur by the child’s fourth birthday. Texas Family Code 160.607. If there is no presumed father, meaning the mother was single at the time of the birth, then there is no time limit for establishment of paternity underTexas Family Code 160.606. However, effective May 12, 2011, a man may seek termination of the parent child relationship if, without genetic testing, he signed an acknowledgement of paternity or was adjudicated the father of a child, because he was mistaken that he was the father. A petition must be filed no later than one year after the man learns he is not the genetic father, beginning September 1, 2012. Before that date, a termination may be filed due to mistaken paternity regardless of how long the man has been aware of the mistake. Texas Family Code 161.005.



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