Category: Legal Parentage - Page 4

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27
Jan
2025

Genetic Testing, Political Uncertainty & Citizenship: Family Law In Focus

As we start 2025, the evolving realities of direct-to-consumer DNA tests, political uncertainty and demand for foreign citizenship are increasingly calls to action. As people seek to understand and address these challenges it can create complex inter-related personal and legal questions. Such questions are increasingly drawing together and necessitating solutions that require specialist family law expertise. Successfully navigating a path through these choppy waters can require expert management and bespoke family law strategies to address the implications of genetic testing, legal and biological parentage, an application for a Declaration of Parentage and rectification of a birth certificate.

19
Aug
2024

Rise in DNA tests being used to claim citizenship of other countries

Louisa Ghevaert was pleased to feature in an article in The Guardian on 18 August 2024 about the legalities associated with DNA testing and applications to rectify an inaccurate or incomplete birth certificate. The article discusses how increasing numbers of people are taking DNA tests to explore their ancestral heritage, uncover unknown aspects of their personal identity or trace parents, siblings and new relatives. Added to this, people are now using DNA tests to apply for citizenship in another country.

13
May
2024

Declaration of Parentage: Will This Rectify My Birth Certificate?

Cases involving enquiries about birth/biological parents and decisions to rectify a birth certificate often require a great deal of care and consideration. They can upend established family history and introduce unexpected narratives about unplanned pregnancy, love affairs, failed relationships, adoption, loss and death. They can uncover fertility fraud or even egg, sperm or embryo mix-ups at fertility clinics. They can also create complex issues with genetic relatives and legal family members, intermingled with complex emotional dynamics (shock, anger, shame, grief, fear, rejection, happiness and acceptance).

29
Dec
2023

Declaration Of Parentage: Will This Resolve My Personal Identity, Legal And Biological Parenthood?

Questions about personal identity, legal and biological parenthood and birth certificates can arise in different ways and create all sorts of complex issues. In some cases, they can come about because of personal searches and histories involving absent parents, adoption and donor conception. For others, unexpected discoveries and issues can arise following a direct-to-consumer DNA test, death of a relative, conversation with a family member, an encounter with a genetic relative or an application for a new birth certificate or passport. This can in turn necessitate a court application for a Declaration of Parentage.

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