DNA testing is often used to determine paternity in Texas cases involving custody and support. Since DNA results have accuracy rates of up to 99.99%, they can firmly establish if a former partner is a child’s father. This could then lead to setting child support obligations.

Paternity is particularly important in cases where the parents weren’t married at the time of conception or birth. After all, the father’s name does not have to be listed on the birth certificate unless paternity has been legally established. In those cases, the dad is called the “alleged father.” Once their paternity has been established by DNA testing, the court can set child support and grant him visitation or custody rights. DNA tests have been the reason some fathers accept their paternity and even build a relationship with children they had previously not recognized, such as was the case with Mick Jagger and Steve Jobs.