Child Support Fraud

Discrepancies in child support and child custody may give rise to child support fraud. In many cases, child support fraud would refer to paternity fraud. In this article we study paternity fraud and how to avoid it.

Paternity Fraud

Paternity fraud is when a mother claims that a man has fathered a child for her to get child support even if she knows that the man is not actually the biological father of the child. Paternity fraud has been a constant issue by father’s rights activists. This form of child support fraud plays upon the “non-paternity event” wherein there is a discrepancy in paternity involved.

There have been many stereotypical victims to this child support fraud: the biological father deprived of his relationship with his child, the child deprived of his or her relationship with the biological father and the non-biological father. The primary motive for this modus operandi is to solicit finances where it is not due by opting a non-biological father to pay off child support for the benefit of the mother and the child that is not even his. This happens when a man has paid up child support for another man’s son or daughter.

Genetic Testing to Fight Child Support Fraud 

The advancement in technologies have taken fraud-busting to the next level. The most accurate and high-tech ways to prove paternity or child support fraud is through genetic fingerprinting. Genetic fingerprinting allows men with suspicions of parentage to clarify and confirm actual fatherhood of a child. To avail of this, a man would usually inquire for a paternity test - a test that proves positive genetic identification to the father. Consent from the mother to avail of this test is not universally true on al situations.

Because it is sometimes considered a move that is not in the best interests of children, genetic testing been discouraged in some forms and jurisdictions. This would be incredibly frustrating if a man would really want to prove that he is the actual father of the child he is supporting. A man would very likely reject a woman and her child if ever he finds out that the child is not his. Non-paternity has been proven to be a common occurrence around the world.

Avoiding Child Support Fraud

Preventive measures are needed to make sure that you are free from child support fraud. Avoid illicit relationships with women of ill-repute. Avoid casual sex with women you don’t trust or abstain from casual sex all together and be faithful to one woman. It is also wise to keep track of your sexual partners for health and paternity reasons.

Also, be diligent in proving paternity. Be cautious with your dealings with women who may claim that you are he father of her child. Take extra steps for her to prove that this is true. Otherwise, you may also opt for a paternity test to prove if a probable child support fraud exists.