When parents are not married, the law does not automatically recognize the father as having rights to make decisions for the child. In many cases, the mother has sole custody by default, and the father may struggle to be involved in important matters, such as education or medical care.
When a father’s name is legally recognized, both parents know where they stand. The child benefits from support from both sides, and both parents can be involved in the decisions that shape the child’s life.
Benefits of establishing paternity for children
When fathers take steps to establish paternity, children benefit in many ways. Some of the most meaningful advantages include:
- Informs the child and their medical provider of their complete medical and genetic history
- Eligibility for insurance coverage, inheritance and other benefits
- Clearer parenting time and support arrangements
Beyond the health and financial benefits, legal paternity helps reinforce a child’s identity and ensure greater consistency in care. It also provides emotional reassurance.
Children tend to feel more secure when both parents are actively present in their lives. That kind of everyday presence—knowing someone shows up, cares and stays involved—can help them feel safe and supported at home and in school.
Why it matters for fathers
Recognition as a child’s parent can empower fathers to assume more meaningful roles beyond visitation or financial support.
Fathers create daily routines like helping with homework, attending parent-teacher meetings or preparing meals, and they take part in decisions about bedtime, discipline and school activities.
How to establish paternity
Parents in Illinois have two primary methods for establishing paternity. One option is to complete a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP), a simple form that both parents can sign to legally name the father without going to court.
The other option is to go through the court system to have paternity established by a judge. Either approach affords both parents legal standing and enables them to assume significant responsibilities in the child’s life.
When parents establish paternity early, they can avoid future conflict and set themselves up with what they need to raise their children together.
Moving forward with purpose
When both parents agree on paternity, they lay the groundwork for a home where their child feels secure, cared for and included in every vital part of family life. With legal paternity, it becomes easier for both parents to share responsibilities, stay emotionally connected, and ensure the child has what they need to grow and thrive.
Taking steps to establish paternity benefits the entire family unit by providing structure, stability and the opportunity for deeper connection.