Sometimes when a couple goes through the divorce process, the issue of paternity comes up and it becomes necessary to determine conclusively who the father is. Oftentimes men find that a paternity test is necessary in order to defend their parental rights.

Interestingly, a company by the name of Identigene-known for its at-home paternity tests sold in drugstores-says that one in 10 adults in the United States has personally been in a situation where they thought it would be appropriate to do paternity testing. Not everybody agrees with those numbers, though.

Identigene, which has sold over half a million testing kits since 2008, twelve percent of women and 10 percent of men reported that they have had reason to question the paternity of a child in their care. Those numbers were based on a survey of 1,039 people in late 2011. Nearly one-fifth of those surveyed said they had family members or close friends who have questioned paternity.

According to scientists who've studies the issue, the number reported by the company is probably higher than the actual numbers. Interestingly, though, the rate of those who have run into issues misidentified paternity is thought to be greater in the United States than other countries, since there are more children born outside of marriage and more couples living together here than in other countries.

The process of establishing paternity is often emotionally difficult, but necessary to ensure that custody, visitation and support matters are properly handled. And, of course, is can resolve long-standing doubts and bring peace of mind.

Source: msnbc.com, "Paternity questions plague 1 in 10, DNA test firm says," JoNel Aleccia, February 7, 2012.