A new client, John, has retained your firm to represent him in a paternity action. He has lived with his girlfriend, Anna, for the past two years. During that time a child, Dominique, was born to Anna. The child is now 1-1/2 months old. Anna recently admitted to John that she has met someone new and wishes to end their relationship. John is unsure if he is the father. Anna assured John that he is. John signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity (VAP) at the hospital when Dominique was born.

John would like to contest his parentage. He loves his daughter, but feels if the child is not his, he would rather know now and allow the real father to have a relationship. If he is the father, he intends on living up to his obligations and establishing a relationship with his daughter.

Draft a short memo of the steps you would recommend John to take legally in order to challenge paternity.

Also provide him with a brief description of what will occur if he is established as the father