Almost 300,000 paternity tests are performed every year in order to confirm or deny a biological father. Whether you just had a baby or haven’t quite reached your delivery date yet, you may be thinking about getting a paternity test. While this is not a bad idea, there are some things you should know.
Here are five things you should know about paternity tests.
1. Home Tests Vs. Legal Test.
Taking a paternity test at home can be a good way to get potentially quicker results; however, you should keep in mind that there is a downside to this method. The disadvantage of home testing is the possibility of your partner cheating or submitting different DNA if they wish to avoid a positive test.
On the other hand, a legal test is generally performed and authenticated by professionals in a laboratory, which decreases the chance of an inaccurate result.
2. How It’s Performed
There are two primary ways to perform a paternity test. One way is by a cheek swab, and the other is by a blood test.
3. Different Types
There are three different main types of paternity tests.
Noninvasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP) - This method compares the pregnant woman's DNA in her bloodstream to the potential father’s cheeks swab.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - This method takes tissue from the placenta and compares the DNA to the potential father’s DNA.
Amniocentesis - This method takes amniotic fluid from the mother and compares the DNA fluid samples with the potential fathers
4. How Much It Costs
Usually, an at-home DNA paternity test will cost you around $100. A legal test, however, can cost about $300 to $500.
5. Will DNA Ancestry Work
An ancestry DNA can identify potential DNA matches, but only a DNA paternity test can prove a father-child DNA match.
Need Help?
If you are looking to pursue a legal case to prove your family relation, you may want to hire an attorney. Here at HOLLINGSWORTH ROBERTS MEANS, we may be able to help. Just call (888) 211-3888 to schedule an appointment today!
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