In Tennessee, if you are married while giving birth to a child, the husband is presumed to be the father of the child. However, if there is any doubt about the identity of the father, you can file a paternity action to establish parental relations. The paternity action is filed in the county where the child lives, through the family court. The mother, alleged father or Tennessee Child Support Division has the authority to initiate the action. To determine paternity, the court will order the child and father submit to various DNA testing including providing a blood sample or swab test. The parties can decide on their own who will pay for testing, or the court may order one party to pay the applicable costs to determine paternity. Depending on the results of the test, child visitation and support may be ordered by the court. For additional information, you can contact the Tennessee Child Support Service’s website http://tn-childsupport.com/abcs/paternity.htm. For more information about the basic of paternity in Tennessee, visit http://www.freelegalaid.com/nav/tennessee/divorce-and-family-law/article/paternity-basics-tennessee.