I have a son whose mother passed away two years ago. I was told a few months into the pregnancy that she experienced a miscarriage. As a res...

Question

I have a son whose mother passed away two years ago. I was told a few months into the pregnancy that she experienced a miscarriage. As a result, I moved to a different state and was not aware that I even had a son until he was 6 months old. Through the next few years I stayed in contact with the mother and when I was home would take my son during the time I was home. I was told that her husband/boyfriend at the time had signed the birth certificate. Her mother waited nearly 6 months to tell me she had passed away in a car accident. I was told that I had until he was two years old to contest paternity. I desperately want to be a part of my son's life either by gaining visitations or even custody. I am an upstanding citizen with a steady job with a good company and a solid family of my own.

Answer

A custody hearing and DNA test will take care of this problem and it sounds like everything will be in your favor. Go for it, but don't wait too long. We would also recommend that you get the DNA test and file the petition for custody before he turns two years old because it will make take for the case to long to make it to court or before a judge. It will also speed up the legal process and waiting time.