Paternity (law)

In law, paternity is the legal or biological relationship between a child and his or her biological father. Paternity law deals with the rights and obligations of both the biological or natural father and the child to each other as well as to others. A child's paternity may be relevant in relation to issues of legitimacy, inheritance and rights to a putative father's title or surname, as well as the biological father's rights to custody and obligations for child support.