| Single mothers who are struggling to get financial | | | | establish that a person is actually the father of |
| support from the child's father should understand | | | | the child. Once this is done, it is the mother's right |
| their rights in these situations. The problem for | | | | to collect child support for her child. The amount |
| many single mothers is that they lack the means | | | | of child support ordered may vary depending on |
| to effectively support their child without | | | | several factors including the time the father |
| assistance from the father. | | | | spends with the child as stated in court ordered |
| Other single mothers may simply want to hold | | | | documents. |
| the father responsible for supporting the child. For | | | | If the father is not paying the child support he is |
| information regarding child support issues, single | | | | supposed to, the mother may turn to the District |
| mothers should speak with a qualified attorney in | | | | Attorney's office to enforce child support |
| their area. | | | | payment. This may take several weeks or |
| Some single mothers may find themselves having | | | | months in some cases. |
| no other choice but to seek government | | | | State law may vary a bit in each state, but the |
| assistance in caring for their child. When this is the | | | | key to forcing child support payment is to |
| case, the government may seek welfare | | | | establish paternity through a court ordered |
| reimbursement from the father. A paternity test | | | | paternity test in cases where the father does not |
| may be ordered to establish that a person is | | | | acknowledge that a child is his. Single mothers |
| actually the father before moving forward with a | | | | with further questions regarding mothers' rights |
| lawsuit to obtain reimbursement. | | | | are encouraged to speak with an experienced |
| Single mothers who do not receive welfare may | | | | family law attorney in their area. |
| still obtain a court ordered paternity test to | | | | |