The Harris Texas Petition to Establish Parentage is a legal document filed in the Harris County Family Courts for the purpose of determining, confirming, or disputing the legal parent-child relationship. This petition is a standard procedure used by individuals seeking to establish parental rights, responsibilities, and custody over a child. In Harris County, Texas, there are two main types of petitions to establish parentage: 1. Petition to Establish Parentage (Voluntary): This type of petition is typically filed by unmarried parents who agree on the parentage of the child. Both parties voluntarily sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity form, which legally establishes the child's father. This petition is commonly used for situations where the parents are in agreement and wish to establish parental rights and responsibilities without the need for court intervention. 2. Petition to Establish Parentage (Disputed): When there is a disagreement or dispute regarding the parentage of a child, one party may file a petition to establish parentage in order to involve the court. This petition is mainly used in cases where one parent denies their biological relationship to the child, requiring genetic testing or other legal procedures to determine the biological parent. In both types of petitions, the court carefully examines the evidence and conducts hearings to determine the parent-child relationship in accordance with Texas family law. Factors such as genetic testing results, testimonies, documentation, and other relevant evidence are considered during the process. It is important to note that once the court establishes parentage through a Harris Texas Petition to Establish Parentage, the involved parties will have legal obligations, including child support, visitation rights, and decision-making authority regarding the child's welfare. Filing a Harris Texas Petition to Establish Parentage can be a complex legal process, requiring the guidance and assistance of a family law attorney to ensure that all necessary documents and evidence are properly prepared and presented before the court.