How to Find Deadbeat Dads for Paternity Tests
The term "deadbeat dad" refers to a man who refuses to live up to his financial responsibilities to his children. Deadbeat dads refuse or are unable to pay child support, and often skimp on other parental responsibilities such as spending time with his children, or making sure they're receiving adequate medical care or education. One way to force a deadbeat dad to live up to his responsibilities is to have a court mandate them -- sometimes even docking his pay to go toward child support. However, proof of paternity is often required to make this happen.
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Instructions
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Make a profile of your "deadbeat dad." Write down his name and any aliases, plus his date of birth, Social Security number, physical description, and what you know of his job history and any family members. This will be the core information you need to find him and make him take a paternity test.
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Call up his friends and family members to try to track down your deadbeat dad. Be polite and respectful -- they will be more likely to share information this way. Although it is good to try to find out where he is living, a more useful piece of information is to find out where your deadbeat dad is working. Even if he has since moved on from that job, there is a good chance his former employer or co-workers know where he has gone.
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Check with the employer of your deadbeat dad. If you don't know where he's currently working, call his previous employer and ask if the employer can tell you. Most companies require references from former employers, so companies will generally know where their former employees have moved on to. If company officials will not give you this information, try approaching his former colleagues or work friends in a respectful and polite way. They might know this information, also.
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Use social networking sites to try to track down your deadbeat dad. Many people use social networking these days -- even if they have shifting abodes or are frequently changing jobs. A good place to start is a simple name search. If that's not successful, try scanning the friends list of mutual acquaintances -- or, if privacy settings allow, the friends list of friends-of-a-friend who might be in contact with your deadbeat dad.
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Hire a private detective or investigator as a last resort. Private investigators often have access to records and resources civilians don't (often through being former cops or law enforcement officials themselves) and can often find people who are trying very hard not to be found. This is an expensive option, but normally delivers results.
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Tips & Warnings
Research the laws in your state to discern your legal right to demand a paternity test. Rules vary, but frequently you have to show some legal need to force someone to submit to a paternity test. Demand for child support payments, or similar needs, often fulfill that legal requirement.
References
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