Close

Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Since 1982.

Paternity Lawyers

Guiding You Through Challenging Times

We’ll Protect Your Rights as a Father

Regardless of marital status, parents have certain inherent rights and responsibilities. That’s why definitively knowing the biological parentage of a child is so critical. However, it isn’t always a straightforward matter. In circumstances like this, having a talented and tactful paternity attorney is necessary. At Gevurtz Menashe, we’ve been helping families dealing with paternity issues for over 40 years.

Paternity matters can be delicate, emotional, and consequential for all involved. We strive to ensure that everyone’s needs — the children, the parents, other caregivers and concerned parties, and the law — are accounted for so we can achieve optimal results.
 

Schedule a Consultation

The Basics of Paternity Law

Paternity law is an area of family law that focuses on legal issues and processes related to determining the identity of a child's biological father. The goal of paternity law is to protect the child's best interests and ensure that parental rights and responsibilities are appropriately assigned and enforced.

Legal paternity can be confirmed anytime after a child is born.
 

Why Retain a Paternity Attorney

A paternity lawyer can provide legal guidance and representation in a variety of situations. Some commonplace reasons include:

  • Establishing paternity and handling paternity disputes
  • Creating child custody, visitation, and child support agreements
  • Reviewing, revising, or revoking parental rights and responsibilities
  • Processing an adoption
  • Mediating other legal matters related to the father-child relationship

Gevurtz Menashe Will Help You Achieve the Best Outcome

All paternity cases hinge on knowing who the biological father of a child is. Your paternity lawyer will explain the finer points of the law that apply in your case and help you devise and implement a plan of action.


Why Establishing Paternity is Important

In legal scenarios, it isn’t good enough to suspect or assume a man is the biological father of a child. Incontrovertible proof is required.

The court wants to make sure it’s assigning the due rights and responsibilities to the correct people. Similarly, it doesn’t want to give parental powers to those who shouldn’t have it. As such, a paternity lawyer can help establish the legal father's identity.


How Paternity is Determined

There are two primary methods used to establish paternity for legal purposes. Briefly, these are:
  1. Voluntary acknowledgment. Both parents agree on the father's identity and sign an acknowledgment of paternity form.
  2. Genetic testing. A DNA test is done and biological markers are used to verify who the father is.
 

We Can Help You Defend Against Paternity Action

If you’re facing a paternity action and don’t believe you’re the child's father, a paternity lawyer is going to be one of your strongest allies. He or she will assist you in taking appropriate steps to fight the claim, such as:
  • Request a genetic test
  • Gather evidence
  • Submit a formal response
  • Attend court hearings

When Only the Best Paternity Law Firm Will Do


Top Talent Working for You

With over 40 years in family law, we’re a premier paternity law firm. Our expertise and experience has earned us a legacy of success and a stellar reputation. Now, we’re applying all that to your case.


All the Bases Covered

Our approach can only be described as thorough and encompassing. For you, this means less stress and better outcomes. We help you handle all the details for a smoother overall experience.
 

Backed by a Caring Team

In situations like this, it can feel like you’re being singled out. However, with us, you’re never going it alone. We pride ourselves in providing attentive, compassionate service and support from Day 1.

 

Talk to a Lawyer!

Testimonial

“I highly recommend the Gevurtz Menashe team and specifically Shawn Menashe. While nobody wants to divorce, Shawn and his team followed my desire to stay out of court and coached me in helpful ways to create a fair settlement that worked for me and for my now ex-spouse. He told me up front how much it would cost and it came in under that estimate. When appropriate, he handed me off to another highly capable member of the team for certain pieces of the process. Shawn and team made a very difficult and stressful life situation manageable and I'm grateful.”
-Lynn Andrews

 

Attorneys

  • Erica Aquadro Erica Aquadro Associate
    Erica Aquadro

    Erica Aquadro

    Associate
    Erica enjoys helping people find resolution in their lives. Whether she's dealing with a high conflict custody case or difficult property, business and support issues, Erica brings her keen ability to ask the right questions, listen with an open mind, and use that information to form practical advice and guidance through her legal counsel. Guided by her people-centered compassionate nature, Erica is the ultimate team player helping clients understand the complex legal process, define their own futures, and ultimately bring peace of mind to each person or family she has the opportunity to counsel. 

    When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Erica hiking with her husband and kids, reading, or traveling. Her favorite words to live by are guided by the former first lady, “When they go low, we go high.”

     
  • Ashley Fraley Ashley Fraley Associate
    Ashley Fraley

    Ashley Fraley

    Associate
    Ashley Fraley is a dedicated professional who is passionate about assisting families during challenging times. With a genuine commitment to helping clients regain control in their lives, Ashley understands the importance of patiently explaining complex processes in a way that individuals can truly comprehend. By providing clear explanations, Ashley empowers clients with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions during periods of uncertainty.
    In her work, Ashley demonstrates diligence in understanding her clients' goals and aspirations. She prioritizes transparency and honesty, ensuring that clients have a realistic understanding of what can be achieved based on their specific circumstances. By setting clear expectations and offering practical advice, Ashley helps clients navigate their legal matters with a sense of confidence and purpose.

    One of Ashley's core beliefs is that it's perfectly acceptable not to have all the answers, as long as one knows how to find them. She embraces a continuous learning mindset and is always ready to seek out the necessary information to best serve her clients. Ashley understands that every individual's journey is unique, and she encourages her clients to focus on their own progress rather than comparing themselves to others. This mindset fosters a supportive and empathetic environment where clients can feel understood and respected.

    Guiding someone through a difficult period requires a delicate balance of patience and honesty. Ashley values the opportunity to support her clients during their lowest points, providing them with the guidance and reassurance they need to move forward. Whether it's navigating the aftermath of a divorce or assisting with modifications, Ashley believes in equipping her clients with the knowledge and understanding of their options. By doing so, she helps restore a sense of power and control to individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the dissolution process.

    When not advocating for her clients, Ashley enjoys EDM music festivals and spending time with her dogs Madeye (Saint Bernard) and Dobby (Corgi).
     
  • Sierra Fotos Sierra Fotos Associate
    Sierra Fotos

    Sierra Fotos

    Associate
    Sierra has a long history in family law, having grown up in a single-parent household. Family law is something that she understands has critical implications and importance.

    Sierra has worked in family law her entire career and understands that each case comes with its unique facts and specifics. She believes it is crucial to have a commonsense and practical approach to advocating for her clients. Sierra is driven to seek resolution for her clients and does not have any qualms about litigating on their behalf.  She enjoys helping her clients through these critical times of their lives.

    Sierra grew up in the Bay Area and finds Portland to be a perfect combination of city and wilderness. When not zealously advocating for her clients, Sierra can be found camping, exploring brunch locations, cheering on the Portland Thorns, or spending time with her family.

    “Not fragile like a flower, fragile like a bomb.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg

     
Meet our entire team!

Our Locations

Portland

Vancouver

FAQ

Partner with Gevurtz Menashe’s Paternity Lawyers in Oregon & Washington!

The Gevurtz Menashe team has been assisting clients with family law matters — including paternity cases — for over 40 years. For more information on how we can help you, reach out today to schedule a consultation at our Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410) office.