Quote:
Paternity Actions are filed in order to assist a parent in acknowledging and protecting important visitation (time sharing), custody (time sharing schedule and parenting plans), and support rights.
Who can file an action?
* Any woman who is pregnant or has a child,
* A man who has reason to believe that he is the father of a child, or
* Any child may bring proceedings to determine paternity when paternity has not been established.
Then, once paternity is established, the court may determine custody (time sharing schedule and parenting plans), payment of child support (present and retroactive), payment of attorney fees, and costs of bringing the action.
In other words, not putting him on the birth certificate will only mean that he'll have to get a DNA test done to establish paternity and his rights.