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Original poster

child support- where can i do paternity testing for foreign father?

33 replies

Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 12:56

AIBU to ask it here. Probably yes, but need the traffic.

My dc was born abroad to an american father and I pursued child support using paper forms.

I had a response from the state attorney's office saying they were unable to use their vendors for genetic testing in The UK and would I be able to ask my physician to do the genetic testing for my DC.

I asked the GP, they said no.

Does anyone know how I can do this? I can't afford a private testing place as they're like £300 and obviously I can't just fly back to The USA to do it.

Even if it was £100 to do it privately, I can't risk spending the little savings I do have, as it could amount to nothing.

Any ideas, from anyone who has been through similar?

Thanks in Advance

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Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 21:50

DogInATent · 13/06/2024 15:29

That makes sense.

They were only after someone reputable to take the sample and confirm that it's from the person you say it's from. Chain of evidence, sort of thing. You'll need to prove your daughter's identity to the GP so remember to take the correct documentation.

Show quote history

Thank you. It took me a while to figure out what they actually wanted but got there thanks to this thread. Even the private GP staff member was confused by their wording in the email, but she said it was probably more likely they wanted just the sample to be taken at this end rather than testing, but that they could offer either. Hopefully they can communicate between themselves to sort it out though and then tell me if I have to pay or if it comes under the court costs.

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DogInATent · 13/06/2024 15:29

Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 15:13

I've sorted it now, thanks guy. Local private GP will do the sample collection for £100.

That makes sense.

They were only after someone reputable to take the sample and confirm that it's from the person you say it's from. Chain of evidence, sort of thing. You'll need to prove your daughter's identity to the GP so remember to take the correct documentation.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 13/06/2024 15:14

RoseUnder · 13/06/2024 15:07

Is there a risk he might claim custody of your daughter, in order to avoid paying?

No chance. The daughter is habitually resident in the UK so it would be dealt with by the uk courts. They are not going to send her to live in America.

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 15:13

I've sorted it now, thanks guy. Local private GP will do the sample collection for £100.

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RoseUnder · 13/06/2024 15:07

Is there a risk he might claim custody of your daughter, in order to avoid paying?

nearlysummerhooray · 13/06/2024 15:04

Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:55

Thank you that makes sense. I'll ask the GP again about doing just the sampling and me paying for it, and if that fails I'll ask virtual GP through life insurance if I can ever get the app to work. Perhaps the USA company will pay for it, also.

Lastly, if that fails I'll contact DNA clinics and ask if they can lower the price to just take an in-person sample and post it.

Show quote history

You need proper chain of evidence for the sample, no one is going to do it for buttons.

How are you going to make him pay if he's abroad?

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:40

Butchyrestingface · 13/06/2024 14:24

If he was willing to pay for things, I wouldn't be pursuing child support. I don't even know where he is. He went awol years ago.

Do you even know if he's still alive? Or has a job they can collect on?

It doesn't work like that. They get a minimum bill even if they don't have a job. They're expected to find work to pay it, or go to jail.

I would have heard from mutual acquaintance if he had died, even though he keeps his location quiet from people.

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Butchyrestingface · 13/06/2024 14:24

If he was willing to pay for things, I wouldn't be pursuing child support. I don't even know where he is. He went awol years ago.

Do you even know if he's still alive? Or has a job they can collect on?

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:23

Naunet · 13/06/2024 14:17

No shit. How it works over there is a court makes the order and decides who pays for the test. Doesn’t sound like that’s been done so I don’t see why you have to pay in order to pursue, but I’ve now seen your update about not wanting advice, so I’ll leave it there.

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I've updated to clarify it's not about paying for the testing, They've asked me to have a sample collected for them to do their testing. Their lingo can be confusing.

Looking back at their original message it seems they have tried to find a company here to do the sampling or testing for them, and can't, and want me to ask my doctor. My doctor has said no.

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Naunet · 13/06/2024 14:17

Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:12

He's not in England, the system doesn't work the same way there.

Show quote history

No shit. How it works over there is a court makes the order and decides who pays for the test. Doesn’t sound like that’s been done so I don’t see why you have to pay in order to pursue, but I’ve now seen your update about not wanting advice, so I’ll leave it there.

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:16

No, it looks like the UK companies here won't do it as they're saying they're not accredited by the US courts.

I'll try a private GP.

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Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:12

Naunet · 13/06/2024 14:07

.

Edited
Show quote history

He's not in England, the system doesn't work the same way there.

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Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 14:11

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 13/06/2024 13:40

I know of 2 companies that do private DNA testing. DNA Legal and Cellmark Diagnostics. There will be others. I suspect you have been quoted for the whole process not just the sample collection. It’s worth contacting these providers and seeing if they will do sample collection only. Though you will need to be able to ensure secure onward delivery.

I've just called Cell Mark and they won't do it. I'm trying DNA Legal now.

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Naunet · 13/06/2024 14:07

Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:06

If he was willing to pay for things, I wouldn't be pursuing child support. I don't even know where he is. He went awol years ago.

Show quote history

.

SerendipityJane · 13/06/2024 13:57

Does this help ?

https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/paternity-test-laws.html

A friends mum had a fling with a US airman in the 60s. He fucked off back to the states, but she lodged a claim for paternity which was granted by default. Meant my friend became American overnight and she spent a couple of years travelling and working.

Paternity Test Laws

Want to have a paternity test done to prove your child's parentage? Find out how to get it done and where to get expert legal help. Check page for info.

https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/paternity-test-laws.html

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:55

shuffleofftobuffalo · 13/06/2024 13:35

For paternity don't they usually want someone to take the samples so it's verified?

If you're asking whether there is a free service that will do this for you, I think the answer is no. Even if the GP would do it, it would be a private service, which is chargeable.

Thank you that makes sense. I'll ask the GP again about doing just the sampling and me paying for it, and if that fails I'll ask virtual GP through life insurance if I can ever get the app to work. Perhaps the USA company will pay for it, also.

Lastly, if that fails I'll contact DNA clinics and ask if they can lower the price to just take an in-person sample and post it.

OP posts:
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 13/06/2024 13:40

I know of 2 companies that do private DNA testing. DNA Legal and Cellmark Diagnostics. There will be others. I suspect you have been quoted for the whole process not just the sample collection. It’s worth contacting these providers and seeing if they will do sample collection only. Though you will need to be able to ensure secure onward delivery.

shuffleofftobuffalo · 13/06/2024 13:35

For paternity don't they usually want someone to take the samples so it's verified?

If you're asking whether there is a free service that will do this for you, I think the answer is no. Even if the GP would do it, it would be a private service, which is chargeable.

titchy · 13/06/2024 13:33

Or a private GP appt? Or even your own GP but on a private basis.

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:33

titchy · 13/06/2024 13:32

Surely then£300 you're being quoted from UK firms includes testing. Have you specifically asked what they'd charge simply for collection?

Thanks, that's helpful.

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titchy · 13/06/2024 13:32

Surely then£300 you're being quoted from UK firms includes testing. Have you specifically asked what they'd charge simply for collection?

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:32

ClockHolly · 13/06/2024 13:27

If you pay privately in the UK, will they accept it? And can they give you an indication of what you’d be likely to receive (if anything)?

If it’s going to cost you £300 but you’ll likely receive thousands in back payments that’s a different proposition to if they don’t they can extract any money from him

I don't have £300. I'm not looking for advice, questions about the judicial system over there, comments on the payments etc.......

Just asking to anyone out there who has been through this experience to tell me how I can find someone to take a sample of my daughter's DNA for me and post it to the paternity testing people in Florida, which doesn't cost £300 plus.

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ClockHolly · 13/06/2024 13:27

If you pay privately in the UK, will they accept it? And can they give you an indication of what you’d be likely to receive (if anything)?

If it’s going to cost you £300 but you’ll likely receive thousands in back payments that’s a different proposition to if they don’t they can extract any money from him

AnotherCountryMummy · 13/06/2024 13:27

What state does he live in? I'm not sure that they operate the same as the UK in the sense of 'making' a father pay maintenance.

If he won't pay maintenance, how are you going to convince him to take a DNA test?

Original poster
Acoldsummer2024 · 13/06/2024 13:27

They just want it collected, they do the testing side of it.

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