What is Paternity Fraud?

Paternity fraud refers to a paternal discrepancy or a non-paternity event, in which a mother names a man to be the biological father of a child, particularly for self-interest, when she knows or suspects that he is not the biological father.[1] The term entered into common use in the late 1990s. It has been given significant coverage by U.S. activists and authors Tom Leykis, Glenn Sacks, and Wendy...

McElroy.

Fathers' rights activists state that in cases of paternity fraud, there are many potential victims: the non-biological father, the child deprived of a relationship with the biological father, and the biological father who is deprived of his relationship with his child. Subsidiary victims include the child's and the non-biological father's families. In particular, financial hardship may have resulted for the non-biological father's other children and spouse in cases in which the man was forced to make child support payments for another man's child.

In many jurisdictions, there is limited opportunity to legally challenge the assumption of paternity[citation needed]. For example, by forbidding men to challenge paternity, especially in the context of marriage, by limiting the amount of time allowed to challenge paternity, or by allowing women to make a claim of paternity without adequate chance for rebuttal by the alleged father. In some jurisdictions, the husband of the mother of a child is held to be the father, regardless of biological relationship.

Paternity Fraud: My Story

My name is Bobby. I am a victim of paternity fraud. My life forever changed in May, 2011, after finding out the two children that I raised for 11 and 8 years were not my biological children. My ex-wife took me to court for full custody after years of having joint custody. I found out during the mediation and negotiation process that my ex had affairs and the children may not be my biological children. I decided after much prayer to have paternity testing done, and the bad news hit me like a ton of bricks. There is nothing that can prepare a man to find out such devastating news.

The next several months were just as grueling. I had to make the decision to disestablish my parental rights, or reward her with child support in order to see the children. This decision had to be made within 90 days of finding out the results. I had 90 days to make a life-altering decision that would affect my children, my family and myself. I never wanted to make this decision. I never desired to be placed into this situation. My children never should have been put in this situation. My heart was completely shredding apart. I had to decide while being in shock, denial, and completely devastated.

I, ultimately, made the extremely difficult decision to disestablish paternity. Please understand that I still love my children. I still call them "my children." My decision had nothing to do with a change of feelings towards them. I love them just as I did before finding out they were not my biological children. However, I felt it was the right thing to do. I don't believe people should live a life of lies and deception. I don't believe in "dirty" family secrets. I prayed my ex would do the right thing and still allow me to still be their 'dad' considering I am the only dad they have ever known...., but I have not seen my children in 7 months.

The purpose of this website is to bring awareness on the issue of paternity fraud. I thought this was a very uncommon situation, but I have learned this happens quite often.

1. There are some men that have NO desire to be a part of the lives of the children after finding out the results. The courts still require those men to pay child support, if they had already been paying support.
2. There are some men that still want to be a part of the lives of the children after finding out the results. However, the courts will require them to pay child support if these men want to continue being in their lives.

The problem with these outcomes is the kids are being used as a bargaining tool. The women are not held accountable at all. Period. The children have NO VOICE in the matter because they are in the hands of the women who committed the adultery in the first place.

Carnell Smith (founder of www.PaternityFraud.com) stated it best, "Paternity Fraud is the only crime where the victim is persecuted for the actions of the guilty party."

The victims are the men and children of this horrific crime.

I am in the process of changing the laws in paternity fraud. I have spoken with a representative within the Florida House of Representatives, attorney's and judges. I am getting the word out on this epidemic. I desire to hear from other victims and/or loved ones of victims, so we can work together on making a change.