[Sathrynn]

I just found out today that I have a 2 month old baby boy. The problem is that another man is listed on the birth certificate as the legal father and te baby has his last name. The mother told me that I am the father, but her boyfriend is controlling and has himself convinced that he is the father. The time of conception is concurrent with the time that we were dating. I am wondering how I would go about forcing a paternity test, possibly without the mother's consent, and what to do about getting a custody suit going. Thank You for any help you an give me.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If the mother is cooperative, before you stir things up, you can have your own DNA test performed. (They can test based on a cheek swab now, so it's not traumatic for the baby.) If it confirms your paternity, you can commence a paternity action.

The fact that another man is identified on the birth certificate is certainly a complication, and he would be an interested party in any paternity action, but as long as he and the mother weren't married at the time of conception (as they obviously weren't) the court should allow the action to proceed.