Sulyk Roman

Head of family law practice

E-mail

sulyk@prikhodko.com.ua

Phone numbers

An attorney with extensive experience specializing in complex family disputes. As Head of Practice, he combines deep legal expertise with a personalized approach to every client. He ensures strategic protection of family interests and delivers impeccable results in the most challenging cases.

Establishing or challenging paternity

Establishing or contesting paternity is an important legal process that concerns the legal determination of the biological and/or legal father of a child.

Such issues may arise both in the context of protecting the interests of the child and in determining the rights and obligations of the parents, as well as other legal consequences that may arise after establishing such a legal fact.

Grounds for establishing paternity

According to the legislation of Ukraine, paternity can be established in several ways:

Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.
If the child’s parents are not married, the father may voluntarily acknowledge his paternity by submitting an application to the Civil Registry Office. This provision is in place to simplify procedures and ensure stability in legal relations.
Establishing paternity through the court.
If the father does not recognize his child, the mother or the child himself (if he has reached the age of majority) can file a lawsuit in court. In this case, the following can be used to prove paternity:
- Results of genetic examination (DNA test).
- Witness testimony.
- Other evidence indicating paternity.

When considering the case, the court takes into account all possible evidence, including testimonies of persons who are aware of the circumstances of the case, correspondence between the parties, photographs and other materials.

It is worth noting that DNA testing is not mandatory for this category of cases, but it is of great importance in the evidentiary process. However, if you are deprived of the opportunity to take such a test for one reason or another, this does not prevent the case from being considered.

Disputing paternity

A paternity challenge involves a legal process in which a man who is recorded as the father of a child seeks to prove that he is not the biological father.

The grounds for such a claim may include:

The presence of evidence that excludes the possibility of biological paternity (for example, due to prolonged absence at the time of conception, establishing the fact of the husband’s incapacity, etc.).
Conducting a DNA examination that confirms the absence of a genetic connection between the man and the child.

It is important to note that there is a time limit for contesting paternity. Typically, a man must file a lawsuit within 1 year from the time he learned or could have learned of the circumstances that cast doubt on his paternity.

Protection of the interests of the child

All procedures related to establishing or contesting paternity are conducted taking into account the interests of the child.

This includes the child’s right to:

Receiving financial support from the father.
Proper legal status and the possibility of inheritance.
Psychological stability and support.

The court always analyzes how the decision will affect the well-being of the child. For example, even if the man is not the biological father, but has acted as a father for a long time, the court may consider this as a weighty argument.

Social and psychological aspects

Procedures to establish or contest paternity often cause strong emotional stress for all participants.

Main challenges:

Emotional conflicts. Often, the parties have personal conflicts that are carried over to the legal process.
Stigmatization of the child. Public opinion can negatively affect a child if their paternity is disputed.
Risk of psychological trauma. It is important for a child not to lose the emotional connection with the person they perceive as a parent.

We recommend that such issues be resolved as delicately as possible, taking into account all the consequences for the child. Seeking legal advice from specialists, using mediation, and properly organizing the entire process will help reduce the negative psychological impact on the participants in the process.

It will also be useful: Establishing paternity through the court

Problems and recommendations

Problems in legal regulation

Limited time limits for contesting paternity may be unfair in some cases.
Lack of clear mechanisms to protect the interests of the child in certain situations.

Recommendations for the parties

Contact a lawyer. A qualified lawyer will help you properly prepare documents and avoid mistakes.
Conducting a DNA test. This is the fastest and most accurate way to resolve a dispute.
Peaceful resolution of the dispute. If possible, the conflict should be resolved without judicial intervention.

Conclusion

The procedures for establishing or contesting paternity are complex, as they combine legal, social and emotional aspects. The most important thing in these processes is to ensure the rights and interests of the child, who has the right to stability, love and care.

If such issues arise, it is advisable to contact qualified lawyers of the Law Company “Prikhodko and Partners”, who will help protect your rights and ensure justice.

Calculate the cost of services

1 question

Do you have your father's refusal to acknowledge paternity?

Yes

2 question

Was the child's parents in a registered marriage?

Yes

3 question

Do you have a conclusion on the conduct of a forensic genetic examination to establish or challenge paternity?

Yes

Successful cases on the topic:

You may also need:

Establishment of guardianship over an incapacitated person

Appeal of inheritance contract

Registration of a child born through reproductive medicine

Establishing custody of the child

REGISTRATION OF PERMISSION FOR THE CHILD TO GO ABROAD FROM ONE OF THE PARENTS

Registration of care on a non-professional basis

Provision of care for children with disabilities in Ukraine

Appeal against the decision of the Medical and social expert commission

Support for registration of marriage with a military man

A court decision on independent upbringing and maintenance of a child as a basis for obtaining a deferment

Legal assistance in establishing disability

Making changes to the act record of the birth of a child

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Family law

A claim for guardianship A court decision on independent upbringing and maintenance of a child as a basis for obtaining a deferment A guardianship lawyer A lawsuit to declare a person incapable A statement of claim for recognition of a person as having lost the right to use residential premises A statement of claim for the recognition of a person with limited legal capacity A statement of claim to declare a person incapable Accompaniment of a lawyer in the children’s service Accompanying a person who needs constant care abroad Adoption of an adult Adoption of the wife’s child from the first marriage Agreement on maintenance and education of a child Agreement on the division of marital property Annulment of birth certificate Apostille and consular legalization of inheritance documents APOSTILLE AND LEGALIZATION OF DOCUMENTS IN UKRAINE Apostille for death certificate Apostille on the birth certificate APOSTILLE ON THE DECISION OF THE COURT Apostille on the marriage certificate Appeal against a court decision on divorce Appeal against the decision of the Medical and social expert commission Appeal against the refusal to register permanent care Appeal of inheritance contract Appealing a court decision on deprivation of parental rights Appealing the decisions and actions of the notary when registering the inheritance Applying for a deferment for a guardian of a person with a disability Arrange permanent care for an elderly person Automatic acceptance of inheritance Care on a non-professional basis for parents Certificate of child maintenance by stepfather Certificate of establishment of the fact of providing care for obtaining a deferral Certificate of last place of residence of the deceased CERTIFICATE OF PARENTS OF A LARGE FAMILY AS A BASIS FOR CROSSING THE BORDER CERTIFICATE OF THE FATHER OF MANY CHILDREN IF CHILDREN ARE FROM DIFFERENT MARRIAGES Challenge a will Change of surname to maiden name after divorce Changing a child’s last name during adoption Changing the child’s last name Changing the child’s surname without the consent of the father Changing the surname of a child up to 14 years old Claim for property division COLLECTION OF ALIMONY Collection of alimony from a person residing abroad Collection of alimony from seafarers abroad Conclusion of a marriage contract CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD AND DETERMINATION OF THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE Conclusion of the MAC on the need for permanent external care Confirmation of independent maintenance of the child Constant care for a wife with disability group II Consultation of a lawyer on issues of surrogacy in Ukraine Contesting paternity and excluding information from the child’s birth record Contesting the gift contract Crossing the border on the basis of the act of establishing the fact of providing care Custody of the property of a person who is recognized as missing Declaration of a missing person Declaring a relative missing Deferral from mobilization based on the conclusion of the MAC Deprivation of parental rights Deprivation of parental rights abroad Deprivation of the mother’s parental rights Dissolution of marriage at the registry office or through the court Distribution of property upon divorce in Ukraine Division of foreign assets upon divorce Division of marital property: Crypto assets Division of property in case of divorce DIVISION OF PROPERTY IN DIVORCE DIVORCE Divorce if one of the spouses disappeared during hostilities Divorce online DIVORCE SERVICES Divorce without the presence of one of the spouses Establishing a legal fact in court in accordance with Ukrainian legislation Establishing custody of the child Establishing guardianship over a child through the court Establishing or challenging paternity Establishing paternity after the death of a military person Establishing paternity through the court Establishing the fact of child maintenance ESTABLISHING THE FACT OF DEATH IN TEMPORARY OCCUPATED TERRITORIES Establishing the fact of family relations Establishing the fact of family relationships to receive compensation in connection with the death of a serviceman Establishing the fact of family ties through the court Establishing the fact of living as one family Establishing the fact of living in the same family with the testator Establishing the fact of non-acceptance of inheritance Establishing the fact of paternity Establishing the fact of paternity after death Establishing the fact that the child is maintained by the stepfather Establishing the order of participation in raising a child ESTABLISHMENT OF FUNDS AND TRUSTS Establishment of guardianship Establishment of guardianship in court Establishment of guardianship over a disabled person of the 2nd group Establishment of guardianship over an elderly person Establishment of guardianship over an incapacitated person Establishment of guardianship over the mother Establishment of guardianship over the property of an incapacitated person Establishment of the fact of independent upbringing of the child by the father Estate Litigation Attorney Exemption from paying alimony Extension of the deadline for accepting an inheritance Family lawyer in Germany: protecting the interests of ukrainian citizens FAMILY LAWYER IN ITALY FOR UKRAINIANS Family mediation (mediation in family disputes) Fast increasing the amount of child support Gift agreement between relatives Gift agreement for a minor child Guardianship of an incapacitated person Guardianship of disabled parents Guardianship over parents as a basis for postponement Heritage with a foreign element How to establish the fact of residence by one family? Inheritance disputes Inheritance in Ukraine for Ukrainian citizens living abroad Inheritance lawyer abroad INHERITANCE OF BANK DEPOSITS Invalidation of a marriage Issuance of duplicate certificates and extracts from the Civil Registry Office Legal support for marriage registration in Ukraine Legal support for the adoption of a child Legal support of surrogate motherhood Legalization of a divorce certificate issued abroad Legalization of a marriage concluded abroad Legalization of a marriage concluded in Poland Making changes to the act record of the birth of a child Marriage certificate abroad Marriage contract Marriage contract with a foreigner MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION SERVICES ABROAD Marriage registration under martial law Notarized agreement on child support and upbringing Obtaining a border crossing permit in EU countries for minor children OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF A FATHER WITH MANY CHILDREN Obtaining a certificate of MAC on permanent care Obtaining a certificate of marital status Obtaining a death certificate Obtaining a duplicate birth certificate Obtaining a marriage certificate again Obtaining a MSEC certificate of disability Obtaining the conclusion of the Medical Advisory Committee: stages, necessary documents and step-by-step legal assistance Obtaining the MAC Conclusion in form 080-4/o Permanent care for a disabled person of the 1st group Permanent care for a disabled person of the 2nd group as a basis for postponement Permanent care for an elderly person. Postponement Probate lawyer PROCEDURE FOR CARE OF THE DISABLED GROUP 2 Procedure for establishing guardianship Proving the fact of maintenance of an illegitimate child Provision of care for children with disabilities in Ukraine Receiving an inheritance in Ukraine if you are abroad Receiving compensation by the heir for damaged or destroyed property Recognition of a foreign divorce decree in Ukraine Recognition of a person as incapable and appointment of a guardian RECOGNITION OF A PERSON AS MISSING OR DECEASED Recognition of a person as partially disabled Recognition of inheritance as dead Recognition of ownership rights over the deceased Recognition of paternity for the collection of alimony abroad Recognition of paternity through the State Civil Registry Office Recognition of the right to inheritance Reduction of alimony Refusal of inheritance in favor of another person Registration of a child born through reproductive medicine REGISTRATION OF A DONATION (DONATION AGREEMENT) Registration of care for a father: algorithm of actions Registration of care on a non-professional basis Registration of divorce abroad Registration of guardianship over a disabled child Registration of guardianship over a disabled person of the 1st group Registration of guardianship over a disabled person of the 2nd group Registration of guardianship over an elderly person Registration of inheritance Registration of inheritance in the occupied territory REGISTRATION OF PERMANENT CARE – 2025 Registration of permanent care for the wife REGISTRATION OF PERMISSION FOR THE CHILD TO GO ABROAD FROM ONE OF THE PARENTS Registration of the birth of a child in the occupied territory Registration of the birth of a child in the surrogate motherhood program in Ukraine Reissue of marriage certificate Removal of seizure from immovable property in an inheritance case Renewal of parental rights Renewal of permanent care Renewal of the birth certificate Representation in the guardianship and guardianship authorities REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE LAWYER Restriction of parental rights Return of the child to the parents Returning a child to parents from social services abroad Setting a schedule of visits with your child Statement of claim for collection of alimony for a child Statement of claim for deprivation of parental rights Statement of claim for the adoption of a child Statement of claim for the removal of seizure from inherited property Support for divorce in Poland Support for registration of marriage with a military man Support in determining the place of residence of a child with his biological father Surname change after marriage with a foreigner Termination of parental rights by father’s consent THE TRANSFER OF LAND BY INHERITANCE THE TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE TO INHERITANCE Travel abroad of a guardian of a disabled child Travel abroad of a guardian of an incapacitated person Turnkey divorce URGENT DIVORCE Voluntary relinquishment of parental rights