• Home
  • About
    • Staff
  • Attorneys
    • Amy M. Risseeuw
    • Stacy J. Schlemmer
    • Devin C. Shanley
    • Avram D. Berk
    • Ben L. Lucareli
    • Mackenna T. Zimmerman
    • Carissa N. DeLain
    • John C. Peterson
    • Daniel R. Cross
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Auto Accidents
      • Construction Site Accidents
      • Cycling Accident Attorneys
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Premises Liability
      • Recreation Vehicle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Types of Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
      • Appleton Personal Injury Lawyers
      • Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Family Law
      • Child Custody
      • Child Support
      • Domestic Violence and Harassment Restraining Orders
      • Paternity
      • Prenuptial Agreements
    • Divorce and Legal Separation
      • Divorce and Your Children
      • DIY Divorce
      • Five Steps to Prepare for Divorce
      • Limited Scope Representation
      • Property Division
      • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Overview
      • Estate Planning Process in Wisconsin
      • Elder Law
      • Estate Litigation
      • Guardianships
      • Powers of Attorney
      • Probate
      • Trusts
      • Wills
      • Wills vs. Trusts
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Firm News
    • Video Center
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Staff
  • Attorneys
    • Amy M. Risseeuw
    • Stacy J. Schlemmer
    • Devin C. Shanley
    • Avram D. Berk
    • Ben L. Lucareli
    • Mackenna T. Zimmerman
    • Carissa N. DeLain
    • John C. Peterson
    • Daniel R. Cross
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Auto Accidents
      • Construction Site Accidents
      • Cycling Accident Attorneys
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Premises Liability
      • Recreation Vehicle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Types of Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
      • Appleton Personal Injury Lawyers
      • Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Family Law
      • Child Custody
      • Child Support
      • Domestic Violence and Harassment Restraining Orders
      • Paternity
      • Prenuptial Agreements
    • Divorce and Legal Separation
      • Divorce and Your Children
      • DIY Divorce
      • Five Steps to Prepare for Divorce
      • Limited Scope Representation
      • Property Division
      • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Overview
      • Estate Planning Process in Wisconsin
      • Elder Law
      • Estate Litigation
      • Guardianships
      • Powers of Attorney
      • Probate
      • Trusts
      • Wills
      • Wills vs. Trusts
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Firm News
    • Video Center
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER
    920-831-0300
Contact Us
Logo Peterson, Berk & Cross

Paternity

Our clients are at the heart of what we do every day. Our priority is always your best interest.

Home » Family Law » Paternity
Schedule A Consultation
Group of six business professionals in formal attire posing together for a team photo.

When Paternity Actions Make Sense

Many people have children without getting married. As long as the parents have a good relationship, the child can receive the love and support he or she needs from both parents. Unfortunately, if the relationship ends, the child can suffer.

At the law firm of Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., our lawyers represent unmarried fathers and mothers who have disputes over issues such as child support, child custody and placement, health insurance responsibility, and use of the child for purposes of federal and state income tax dependency exemption. We have offices in Appleton and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The first step in resolving a dispute involving children born outside of marriage, where there is no acknowledgement of paternity filed with the state, is to file a paternity action.

What Is a Paternity Action?

A paternity action is a legal proceeding to establish the father of a non-marital child. If either side contests who the father is, the court will order a DNA test. In some counties, if both parents agree to who the father is and an acknowledgement of paternity has been filed with the state, no DNA test is necessary.

Once the court establishes paternity, one parent may have the right to obtain child support, including back child support in some cases. The parents may need to set up custody and a set placement schedule. The following are examples of the types of issues our lawyers handle:

  • Establishment of child support orders
  • Modification or enforcement of existing child support orders
  • Establishment of child custody and placement plans for parents
  • Modification of child custody and placement
  • Relocation of a custodial parent
  • Responsibility for health insurance for the minor child
  • Use of the child as a dependency exemption and/or qualifying child credit for federal and state income tax filing purposes

 

Our family law attorneys understand Wisconsin paternity statutes.

Contact Our Appleton Paternity Lawyers

Take the first step to ensure that your child receives the love and support that he or she needs. Call 920-831-0300  or complete our simple contact form.

 

Practice Areas
  • Personal Injury
    • Auto Accidents
      • Construction Zone Accidents
      • Distracted Driving Accidents
      • Drunk Driving Accidents
      • Head-On Collision
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Rear-End Accidents
    • Construction Site Accidents
    • Cycling Accident Attorneys
    • Nursing Home Negligence
    • Premises Liability
      • Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
      • Slip-And-Fall Accidents
    • Recreation Vehicle Accidents
      • ATV/UTV Accidents
      • Boating Accidents
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Snowmobile Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
      • Out of State Truck Accidents
      • Truck Driver Fatigue
    • Types of Injuries
      • Back and Spine Injuries
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Wrongful Death
    • Appleton Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Family Law
    • Child Custody
      • Child Custody and Placement FAQs
      • Custody and Placement Modification and Relocation
      • Parenting Plans/Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Domestic Violence and Harassment Restraining Orders
    • Paternity
      • Father’s Rights
      • Mother’s Rights
    • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Divorce and Legal Separation
    • Divorce and Your Children
    • DIY Divorce
    • Five Steps to Prepare for Divorce
    • Limited Scope Representation
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
  • Estate Planning
    • Estate Planning Overview
    • Estate Planning Process in Wisconsin
    • Elder Law
    • Estate Litigation
    • Guardianships
    • Powers of Attorney
    • Probate
    • Trusts
    • Wills
    • Wills vs. Trusts
Contact Us
  • 920-831-0300
  • 2400 S. Kensington Drive
    Ste. 100, Appleton, WI 54915

  • 2071 Central Drive
    Suite A100 Green Bay, WI 54311
Contact Us
Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C.

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call 920-831-0300 or complete the intake form below.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkbox Items *
Loading
Appleton Office
2400 S. Kensington Drive Ste. 100, Appleton, WI 54915
Green Bay Office
2071 Central Drive Suite A100
Green Bay, WI 54311
footer logo Peterson, Berk & Cross
  • Contact Us Today
  • 920-831-0300
Facebook Vector Twitter Icon Instagram Linkedin Icon Youtube Icon

Legal Representation Grounded in Empathy, Efficiency, and Meaningful Value

line for footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
  • firm News
  • Blog
  • Video Center
  • Resources
  • Job opening
  • Contact
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
  • Firm News
  • Blog
  • Video Center
  • Resources
  • job opening
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
line for footer
©2026 Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C.. All Rights Reserved

Home

Message

Reviews

Menu

Accessibility Adjustments

Powered by OneTap

How long do you want to hide the toolbar?
Hide Toolbar Duration
Select your accessibility profile
Vision Impaired Mode
Enhances website's visuals
Seizure Safe Profile
Clear flashes & reduces color
ADHD Friendly Mode
Focused browsing, distraction-free
Blindness Mode
Reduces distractions, improves focus
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dims colors and stops blinking
Content Modules
Font Size

Default

Line Height

Default

Color Modules
Orientation Modules
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
How Can We Help You?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name *
=
Loading
Logo Peterson, Berk & Cross
  • Home
  • About
    • Staff
  • Attorneys
    • Amy M. Risseeuw
    • Stacy J. Schlemmer
    • Devin C. Shanley
    • Avram D. Berk
    • Ben L. Lucareli
    • Mackenna T. Zimmerman
    • Carissa N. DeLain
    • John C. Peterson
    • Daniel R. Cross
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Auto Accidents
      • Construction Site Accidents
      • Cycling Accident Attorneys
      • Nursing Home Negligence
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Premises Liability
      • Recreation Vehicle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Types of Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
      • Appleton Personal Injury Lawyers
      • Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Family Law
      • Child Custody
      • Child Support
      • Domestic Violence and Harassment Restraining Orders
      • Paternity
      • Prenuptial Agreements
    • Divorce and Legal Separation
      • Divorce and Your Children
      • DIY Divorce
      • Five Steps to Prepare for Divorce
      • Limited Scope Representation
      • Property Division
      • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Overview
      • Estate Planning Process in Wisconsin
      • Elder Law
      • Estate Litigation
      • Guardianships
      • Powers of Attorney
      • Probate
      • Trusts
      • Wills
      • Wills vs. Trusts
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Firm News
    • Video Center
  • Contact