On balance, paternal DNA testing should be mandatory and at no cost unless opted out by both parents in writing when the birth certificate is signed. That gives a clear decision point. It would also undo the traditional near-absolute legal presumption that a child born in wedlock is legitimate when the husband had access at the time of conception.
” unless opted out by both parents in writing when the birth certificate is signed.”
I can hear the women now “You’ll ruin our marriage by not trusting me if you get that DNA test.” Too many men would be browbeat into submission with that option.
Make it mandatory to preclude this, it will save court time.
It’s better for those of us who have no doubts that we’re the daddy to take one for the team for the sake of the little ones who get deceived from Day One on who their daddy is. It should be illegal for a Birth Certificate to be finalized unless the Paternity DNA test has been done. Keep the status PENDING until its done. That way all the pre-test drama can be completely eliminated.
No, it should be mandatory.
Otherwise he'll be hearing; "If you really loved me..." until he signs.