In the state of South Carolina when couples have children outside of wedlock and they agree on paternity, they can assert the legal parentage of the father in a few of different ways. The "old fashioned way," as it were, would be for the parents of the child to simply get married and the paternity of the father would be established through the process of legitimation. If they choose not to get married, they can actually establish the paternity of the father while they are still at the hospital by filling out and signing a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment 

Should an unmarried couple who has had a child together choose not to complete this form right after the child's birth while they are still in the maternity section of the hospital or medical center they still have recourse. The Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form is available at the State Office of Vital Records, which is located at the County Health Department in their county of residence. There is a $27 fee involved, and the parents are free to file the affidavit at any time after the child has been born.

The above covers cases when there is no disagreement about the parentage of the father. However, there are cases when an alleged father will deny paternity either because he honestly feels as though he may not be the father or in an effort to avoid a child support obligation. Conversely, there are instances when a man who thinks that he is the father of a child is denied visitation by the mother. Under either type of scenario the party in question can petition the court to issue an administrative order that establishes paternity, and this is done through genetic testing. Once paternity is established the father will receive all of the rights and assume all of the legal responsibilities that go along with parenthood. 

If you have questions or concerns about child visitation, legitimation, and paternity, contact a Charleston military divorce lawyer to arrange for a free consultation. The best divorce attorney Charleston South Carolina will give you the help you need with all aspects of a Charleston SC divorce.