Paternity appraisals can have economic consequences for individuals and families, both in terms of losses and gains. This section details the economic losses and gains from paternity appraisals.
Economic loss
1. Identification of costs
Paternity testing is expensive. While appraisals at public institutions are relatively inexpensive, DNA appraisals at private institutions can cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen. This cost is borne by the individual requesting the evaluation, and therefore is an economic burden in the short term.
2. The costs of legal proceedings
If the paternity test is associated with a legal proceeding (e.g., a recognition mediation or a lawsuit over child support payments), additional legal fees and court costs may be incurred. This may require an outlay of several hundred thousand yen or more.
3. Economic losses due to domestic conflicts
If the results of a paternity test result in conflict between family members, family breakdown and divorce may occur.In the case of divorce, issues such as property division, child support, and alimony arise, which can place a heavy burden on the family finances. In particular, long-term court battles can increase financial losses.
4. decreased productivity due to psychological effects
Unexpected results of a paternity test can cause emotional shock and stress. This can have a negative impact on work and daily life, resulting in reduced income and productivity.
Economic benefits
1. Securing child support and inheritance rights
When paternity or maternity is confirmed by a paternity test, the child can legally secure child support and inheritance rights. This may provide financial support from the parents, resulting in financial stability for the child in the long run.
- Payment of child support: When a child is acknowledged, the non-cohabitating parent is obligated to pay for the child’s living expenses.
- Confirmation of inheritance rights: Once the parent-child relationship is legally recognized, the child is entitled to inheritance rights over the parent’s estate.
2.Resolution of legal uncertainties
Clarifying the parent-child relationship eliminates legal uncertainty and prevents problems and disputes. This can avoid unnecessary court costs and legal proceedings, which may result in economic benefits in the long run.
3. Securing rights to social security and insurance
If a paternity test results in the recognition of a parent-child relationship, the child may enjoy rights related to the parent’s social security and insurance. For example, they may be entitled to depend on their parents’ health insurance or to receive a survivor’s pension in the event of their parents’ death in the future. This is another important financial benefit for children and their families.
4. Avoidance of unauthorized expenditures
If the results of a paternity test confirm that the alleged father is not in fact the father, the risk of paying child support in error is eliminated. This avoids unnecessary expenditures and prevents financial loss.
Conclusion
While paternity appraisals can result in short-term expenditures associated with appraisal fees and legal proceedings, they can also bring economic benefits in the long run by securing legal rights and preventing erroneous expenditures. Whatever the outcome, it is important to consider cost-effectiveness and long-term economic impact when conducting a parent-child appraisal because of the impact on the family and personal finances.
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Supervisor of the article
Dr. Hiroshi Oka
Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Medical Doctor
