Almost 300,000 paternity tests are performed every year in order to confirm or deny a biological father. Whether you just had a baby or haven’t quite reached your delivery date yet, you may be thinking about getting a paternity test. While this is not a bad idea, there are some things you should know.
Here are five things you should know about paternity tests.
1. Home Tests Vs. Legal Test.
Taking a paternity test at home can be a good way to get potentially quicker results; however, you should keep in mind that there is a downside to this method. The disadvantage of home testing is the possibility of your partner cheating or submitting different DNA if they wish to avoid a positive test.
On the other hand, a legal test is generally performed and authenticated by professionals in a laboratory, which decreases the chance of an inaccurate result.
2. How It’s Performed
There are two primary ways to perform a paternity test. One way is by a cheek swab, and the other is by a blood test.
3. Different Types
There are three different main types of paternity tests.
Noninvasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP) - This method compares the pregnant woman's DNA in her bloodstream to the potential father’s cheeks swab.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - This method takes tissue from the placenta and compares the DNA to the potential father’s DNA.
Amniocentesis - This method takes amniotic fluid from the mother and compares the DNA fluid samples with the potential fathers
4. How Much It Costs
Usually, an at-home DNA paternity test will cost you around $100. A legal test, however, can cost about $300 to $500.
5. Will DNA Ancestry Work
An ancestry DNA can identify potential DNA matches, but only a DNA paternity test can prove a father-child DNA match.
Need Help?
If you are looking to pursue a legal case to prove your family relation, you may want to hire an attorney. Here at Roberts Means Roncevic Kapela LLC, we may be able to help. Just call (888) 211-3888 to schedule an appointment today!