Paternity Lawyer in the Bronx

42 Years of Bronx Family Law Experience, Now Working for You

Establishing or contesting paternity changes everything: who holds custody rights, who owes child support, and what benefits a child can access. At Jayson Lutzky, Attorney Jayson Lutzky brings more than 42 years of family law experience to paternity matters in the Bronx, representing both mothers and fathers at every stage of the process. Our bilingual team serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the Bronx and surrounding areas, and our free consultations remove one more barrier to getting legal guidance when you need it most.

Paternity cases are heard at Bronx Family Court. We know that court well, and that familiarity matters when you’re navigating something this important.

Call us at (718) 550-2881 to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to answer your questions and help you understand your options before you decide on a next step.

Why Bronx Families Choose Jayson Lutzky for Paternity Matters

Paternity directly triggers custody rights and child support obligations. Our firm has handled more than 1,000 child custody matters and more than 2,000 child support cases, which means we understand the downstream stakes of every paternity proceeding we take on. That volume of experience shapes how we approach each case: carefully, thoroughly, and with your long-term interests in mind.

Attorney Lutzky is a member of both the New York State Bar Association and the Bronx County Bar Association. In 2000, the New York State Bar Association recognized his commitment to access to justice with its President’s Pro Bono Service Attorney Award. Our team includes an associate attorney and three paralegals, and clients receive the same quality of communication whether they speak English or Spanish.

What Legal Paternity Means in New York

For unmarried parents in New York, signing a birth certificate alone doesn’t establish legal paternity. Until paternity is formally established, an unmarried mother holds full legal custody of the child, and the father has no enforceable rights to custody or visitation. The consequences on both sides are significant.

Once paternity is established, the legal picture shifts for everyone involved:

• For the father: The right to petition for custody and visitation becomes enforceable in court
• For the mother: The right to pursue court-ordered child support is unlocked
• For the child: Access to financial support, inheritance rights, Social Security benefits, health insurance under the father’s plan, and veterans’ benefits

A married husband is presumed to be the legal father under New York law. An unmarried father must take a formal step to obtain the same recognition. Paternity can be established from birth until the child turns 21 or is emancipated.

Two Ways to Establish Paternity in New York

New York law provides two distinct pathways. Which one applies depends on whether both parents agree.

Acknowledgment of Paternity

When both parents agree on parentage, they can sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form at the hospital at birth or at any point afterward at a local registrar’s office. No court proceeding is required. Once signed, it carries the same legal weight as a court order, which is why understanding what you’re signing matters before you do.

Order of Filiation Through Bronx Family Court

When paternity is disputed or one parent won’t sign voluntarily, either parent can file a paternity petition in Bronx Family Court. There are no filing fees for paternity petitions in Family Court. The petition may be filed by the mother, a man who believes he is the father, the child, a legal guardian, or an agency such as the Department of Social Services. If the respondent denies paternity, the court may order DNA testing. New York doesn’t accept at-home DNA tests for legal purposes: collection must be performed by an approved collector with a documented chain of custody. Once results confirm parentage, the court enters a formal order of filiation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Bronx Paternity Attorneys

Whether you’re looking to establish paternity, respond to a petition, or understand your rights before taking action, we can help you think through your situation clearly. Our answering line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we offer flexible payment plans. Se habla español.

Call Jayson Lutzky at (718) 550-2881 to schedule your free consultation with a paternity attorney serving the Bronx.