If you need to identify the biological father of a child, the best avenue is through a DNA paternity test. This form of testing is unanimously accepted by courts across the country. However, what happens if someone is refusing paternity testing? It happens all the time, either the mother refuses to allow a potential father to take the test, or the father refuses to participate. Can someone legally refuse paternity testing?

Who Can Request a DNA Test?

If someone has made a request that you take or allow your child to participate in paternity testing, you are under no obligation to comply as long as it is the entity themselves making the request. However, in doing so, remember that the requesting party may seek legal aid or utilize the resources at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS). Even if DHFS becomes involved, you are under no obligation to submit.

Can I Refuse a Court Order?

If you refused to comply with paternity testing requests at both the personal and the DHFS level, the requesting party can pursue legal action and have the court order your participation. Once the court issues an order for your cooperation, you must comply. Refusal at this level is in direct violation of a court order, and you become susceptible to harsh punishment.

The words “equal” and “equitable” sound similar enough that you could use them interchangeably, but there is an important difference between the words when it comes to divorce. According to Illinois law, the division of property during a divorce must be equitable but not necessarily equal. An equal division of property focuses on each spouse getting half of the marital property, while an equitable division of property is more concerned with each spouse getting a fair share.

Equitable Division vs. Community Property

Nine states, including Wisconsin, follow the community property law that assumes that each spouse equally owns any assets and debts gained during the marriage and must equally divide them during a divorce. The rest of the states use equitable distribution, which means that the marital properties will be divided based on what is fair for each side. If spouses cannot determine an equitable division on their own, a divorce court will decide for them.

Advantages of Equitable Distribution

Why do most states use equitable distribution instead of equal distribution? In many cases, dividing the marital assets equally would not be a fair arrangement because the spouses are not financially equal:

When a marriage ends in divorce, it involves a series of difficult decisions, not the least of which are the decisions regarding property division. It would be more comfortable and less time consuming if a couple were able to discuss the matter amicably. However, many couples cannot agree when it comes to dividing property, assets, and debts. If you are unable to reach an agreement, a judge will do so for you. A judge will make their decision after weighing the following factors:

Marital vs. Non-Marital Property

Any property acquired during the tenure of the marriage is considered marital property. Illinois courts do not have jurisdiction over the non-marital property, which is any property earned or otherwise accumulated before the union began. After determining marital property, the judge then divides it into what is considered “fair and equitable.” Fair and equitable is not to say that the property splits equally, but rather by what is a “just proportion.” Prime examples of property not included in marital property are:

• Property owned by a spouse before the marriage,
• Anything received by one spouse by gift or inheritance, and
• Restrictions based on a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

The Family Home

One of the most significant purchases a couple makes together is the family home. Since both parties are often significantly invested either through time, money, or improvements, it is complicated to determine a fair and equitable split. Common outcomes include:

Views of marriage and divorce vary around the world and in different cultural communities. The Western world idolizes and glamorizes the notion of two individuals falling in love and finding their “happily ever after.” Meanwhile, many Asian, African, South American, and Middle Eastern communities prefer the practice of arranged marriages. This method of creating a union has been practiced for thousands of years for cultural, familial, convenience and economic reasons. Although it is believed that these unions build a more stable foundation, they too sometimes result in divorce. No matter the start, sometimes a marriage must come to an end. If you had an arranged marriage, here are some cultural considerations to consider:

The Western Version of Marriage Is Relatively New

When you think about it, the idea of marrying for love is relatively new in the grand scheme of things and is approximately only a few hundred years old. 55% of marriages throughout the world are arranged marriages. Although many people here in the United States have the opinion that these unions occur under force and coercion, that is not true. Many people entering into these marriages do so by their own free will and because it is a tradition that works. On a global scale, the divorce rate of arranged marriage is between 4% and 6%; compared to the United States rate, which hovers around 50%. It is essential to partner with an attorney that understands and respects the practice of arranged marriage.

Marital Values

Individuals within the marriage come from varying backgrounds. During a divorce, it is crucial that an attorney investigate individual beliefs early in the dissolution process. For some, divorce is frowned upon within their community or forbidden altogether. Additionally, each culture celebrates different marital values regarding gender equality and gender roles. An attorney should be sensitive to these considerations and create a strong strategy.

Divorce is a stressful time for everyone involved. Emotions and tensions rise anytime anyone delves into the often uncomfortable, intimate details of their own personal life and finances, let alone a legal team. Additionally, the stakes of divorce are high, which increases defensive responses. When someone becomes defensive, they begin to behave in such a way as to better their potential outcome. In divorce, this often leads to concealed information, purposeful misrepresentation of a situation, and uncooperative third parties.

Find out how a subpoena can help uncover the truth you know is out there:

What Is a Subpoena?

In Latin, subpoena means, “under penalty.” In legal terms, a subpoena is a legal document that forces the participation of either your spouse or a neutral third party with evidence regarding your divorce. This document is issued only by an attorney or a clerk of court and must be served to all involved parties. If a party opts to ignore the order, they risk being held in contempt, which is punishable by civil fines and criminal charges.