Understanding Paternity in Nebraska: Establishing Legal Fatherhood Establishing paternity, or legal fatherhood, is a crucial first step in many family law cases in Nebraska. It provides the child with legal rights and benefits, and grants the father certain parental rights. This process is essential for determining child support, custody, and visitation arrangements. How to Establish Paternity in Nebraska There are several ways to establish paternity in Nebraska: ✔️ Affidavit of Paternity: If both parents agree on the father's identity, they can sign an Affidavit of Paternity at the hospital when the child is born or later at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This affidavit has the same legal effect as a court order establishing paternity. ✔️ Genetic Testing: If there's uncertainty or disagreement about the father's identity, genetic testing (DNA testing) can be used to determine paternity. The DHHS or a court can order ge...