Establishing and contesting paternity

Questions of a child’s parentage are resolved either voluntarily or by the court. The outcome determines the child’s surname, maintenance, inheritance rights and involvement in upbringing.

When to get in touch

• the father does not acknowledge the child voluntarily
• the birth record has to be amended
• a man is recorded as the father but the child’s parentage is in doubt
• a question of paternity has arisen in an inheritance matter

What the lawyer does

• assesses the situation and chooses the right remedy
• prepares a claim to establish paternity (Article 128 of the Family Code) or to contest it (Article 136)
• builds the evidence of parentage, including the question of genetic testing
• represents the client in court
• handles the amendment of the civil status record
• combines the case with a claim for maintenance

Legal basis

Where there is no voluntary acknowledgement, paternity may be established by court decision (Article 128 of the Family Code of Ukraine). A man recorded as the child’s father has the right to contest his paternity under Article 136. Evidence of parentage is examined by the court; in practice the finding of a molecular genetic examination is decisive.

Legislation and case law are updated over time; this page reflects the position as of August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What if the man avoids the genetic test?

The court assesses the evidence as a whole, and the conduct of the parties; avoiding the examination has procedural consequences that we use in the case.

Can maintenance be claimed at the same time?

Yes. A maintenance claim is usually joined to the claim to establish paternity, which saves time.

Need legal assistance? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and go through your situation with care.