Negative Paternity Test

A question about : Negative Paternity Test

My husband has just discovered (DNA Test) that he is not the biological father of a 10 year old he has been supporting financially since birth (over Ј30k in CSA payments) and he visits us every fortnight.

We have been told this is a very complex case and we realise there are emotional and financial aspects to this news. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice would be appreciated.

Best answers:

• I would say from a moral and emotional position he IS the childs father and I assume you will still want to have contact (in the way say a step parent might still see a step child), however this may depend on your OH relationship with the mother. However as I understand it legally he could argue he is no longer responsible for paying maintenance, certainly I believe the CSA need to know and will stop taking payments from your OH. He may still want to contribute to the childs up bringing in a more informal way perhaps? What a tragic situation for all concerned. good luck, al x
• wow thats really terrible for you, your husband and the child concerned. i bet you are all going through hell can i just ask has he always doubted paternity and if not what made him have the test ten years on?
  ive not been in this situation but my heart goes out to you.
• Oh my goodness, what a horrendous position to be in - you and your husband have my heartfelt sympathies.
  I read something about a similar case, and I believe (don't quote me) but that the man in that case was refunded all payments he had made. Unfortunately it was too late to help him out of the difficult financial situation he was in.
  Have you spoken to the CSA?
• Was the test done privately and with a CSA recognised firm? Just asking because they may claim that the evidence cannot be accpeted.
• hello, myself and partner have been in this situation if you wanna pm me?
• I saw this thread earlier and I just wanted to say that yes, you should be claiming your money back from the CSA. Get a proper test done that is acceptable for them.
  The hardest bit is going to be what happens to this poor little boy now. I can imagine that this has been a dreadful shock to you all and if the mother knew about this all along then I am amazed that people can be so spiteful and not have any thought of their child and what this does to them for the future.
  I am reading into your message and I am guessing that the mother will not allow contact if you persue the test but that it does need doing otherwise your husband is paying for a child that is not his and that he has no rights over. Am I right in thinking that she will demand payment in exchange for contact? Does your husband know what he will do in this situation? What an awful situation for you all to be in. I do hope that everything works out well for you. I just wanted to send you my thoughts really, sorry I've nothing constructive to add.
• its actually pretty straight forwward - when the result has been received by the agency the money will be refunded in a matter of weeks. Am so sorry to hear about the position - I hope they can come to some arrangement for the childs sake
  HTH
• That post was a bit rude to be honest - you might be worth remembering that this chap has been strung along for the last 10 years too. The thing is it is out of his control, what if the mother suddenly decides the child cannot see his 'dad' because he instigates this? Is this chap still supposed to pay without question? This is why this situation is much harder than it is.
  But, either way, he should not be paying the CSA any more money as the child is not his and he does not have that responsibility. However, if this chap wants to give something to the mother then so be it and they can come to some arrangement.
  But, the mother could decide not to let the child see this chap again - her choice and her perogative. Then what does he do? Shrug his shoulders and forget about it?