united-kingdom family-law
Can I force my wife to have a DNA test on a child?
<p>Long story cut short my wife had an affair while we were still living together and I found out she was pregnant shortly before finding out about the affair. She resists talking to me about the unborn child now we are separated as she doesn't want her new partner to know we were sexually active during the affair. Can I force a DNA test to be carried out as we are still married and weren't separated at the time the child was conceived. </p>

<p>Both parents are legally responsible for the financial costs of raising a child. If you don’t have day-to-day care of the child, you may have to pay child maintenance to your partner or she may apply for maintenance and name you as the parent who has to pay maintenance. You are allowed to deny that you are the father of the child and if she wishes to pursue it further, you both may be asked to take a DNA test in order to prove or disprove that you are the father. <strong>You cannot force her to do this</strong>. It must be voluntary on both sides.</p>

<p>If you're just looking to force her to have a DNA test based on the morality of raising a child then whilst I admire your attitude, unfortunately this is not something you can force her to do.</p>

<p>For more information on this matter, head over to <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/children-and-young-people/child-maintenance/child-maintenance-2012-scheme/child-maintenance-application/the-2012-child-maintenance-scheme-you-deny-you-re-the-father-of-the-children/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this article</a> on the citizens advice website. I hope this helps</p>
