"Establishing parentage" means determining who the legal parents of a child are if the parents were not married when the child was born.

If the parents were married when the child was born, the law usually considers the husband to be the father.

When people who are not married can't agree about parentage, the court can order genetic testing.

Usually a child's parentage must be established before you can get child support or custody and visitation orders. You can ask the judge for child support or custody and visitation as part of a case that establishes the parentage of a child.

Parents who separate must decide which parent their children will live with. They also must decide how they'll share their parenting responsibilities. Sometimes parents can't agree, so the judge has to make the decisions. Many parents can agree and can make a custody/visitation agreement that they give to the court. This agreement is also sometimes called a "stipulation for custody/visitation," a "parenting plan," or a "time-share plan."

The judge makes the final decision, but usually will approve an arrangement that both parents agree to.

If you can't agree on custody, a judge will have to make the decision. You will probably have to meet with a Family Court Services mediator before the judge will make a custody order.