Parentage Legal Services For Both Married And Unmarried Parents
Last updated on September 23, 2026
Parentage creates a legal relationship between a parent and a child. Once you establish that relationship, you take on important rights and responsibilities involving your child. These can include choices about school and medical care, parenting time when parents live apart and support such as child support and health insurance. If you need to establish or confirm parentage, learning how the process works can help you protect your role in your child’s life.
Understanding The Connecticut Parentage Act
Establishing parentage is an important step in many family law cases. Connecticut law gives families several ways to create a legal parent-child relationship. The Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA), which took effect in 2022, addresses parentage through:
- Giving birth (except for people acting as surrogates)
- Adoption
- Acknowledgment (by signing an Acknowledgment of Parentage)
- Adjudication (an order from a court)
- Presumption (including the marital presumption)
- Genetic connection (except for sperm or egg donors)
- De facto parentage
- Intended parentage through assisted reproduction
- Intended parentage through a surrogacy agreement
The CPA gives legal protection to parents and children in many types of families. It is especially important for LGBTQ parents and for families formed through surrogacy or assisted reproductive technology.
Like any newly created legislation, the CPA can be challenging and sometimes difficult to navigate. At Welty Esposito & Wieler LLC, we understand those challenges and also recognize the complexities and emotional challenges surrounding parentage issues. Our lawyers are proud to serve New Haven County and all throughout Connecticut through all aspects of their family law needs. When looking to confirm paternity, establish parentage or resolve other child custody and support issues, we are here to guide you through the delicate legal process.
Navigate Complex Parentage Issues With Experienced Legal Counsel
The CPA gives families several ways to establish parentage, but some cases can still be hard to resolve. Your case may involve custody, parenting time, support, adoption, assisted reproduction or surrogacy. When several issues overlap, one choice may affect another part of your case.
At Welty Esposito & Wieler LLC, we understand that parentage cases can raise both legal and personal concerns. You may want to confirm your rights, protect your bond with your child or understand the duties that come with legal parentage. We review your situation, explain the process and help you understand what steps may come next.
Our lawyers serve clients in New Haven County and throughout Connecticut. If you need to confirm paternity, establish parentage or address related custody and support issues, our New Haven family law attorneys can help you understand the process. We can identify the main issues in your case and explain how each step may connect to your other family law concerns.
Clear legal guidance can make a difficult process easier to understand. When you know how the law applies to your family, you can make informed choices about your child and your future.
Our Experience In Establishing Parentage
Since 2006, our lawyers have been offering their legal experience to clients. At Welty Esposito & Wieler LLC, we understand the nuances of Connecticut’s parentage laws and also recognize the complexities and emotional challenges surrounding parentage issues. After all, a secure legal parent-child relationship is the foundation for a child’s long-term stability and well-being.
Get The Legal Support You Deserve
When you want representation from a law firm that cares as much about your family’s future as you do, contact us today. Schedule your initial consultation with us by calling 203-902-5760 or emailing us here. The sooner you reach out to our offices, the sooner we can help earn the outcome you deserve in your parentage case. We handle cases in New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford and Fairfield counties and throughout Connecticut.
