When it comes to paternity disputes, fathers’ rights can often be overlooked or disregarded in favor of the mother’s rights. However, fathers have the right to play a significant role in their children’s lives and should be given the opportunity to do so. In this blog post, we’ll explore fathers’ rights in a paternity dispute and what steps fathers can take to ensure they have a fair chance at parenting their children.
First and foremost, it’s important to establish paternity. Without legal recognition of paternity, fathers have no legal rights to their children. Establishing paternity can be done through DNA testing, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or a court order. Once paternity is established, fathers have the right to seek custody or parenting time of their children.
In custody cases, the court will consider the best interests of the child. Factors such as the child’s age, health, emotional ties to each parent, and the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs will be taken into account. In some cases, joint custody may be awarded, allowing both parents to have an equal say in major decisions affecting the child’s life. In other cases, one parent may be awarded primary custody, with the other parent having parenting time rights.
When it comes to parenting time, fathers have the right to reasonable parenting time with their children. This means the court will consider the father’s work schedule, the child’s school schedule, and any other relevant factors when determining a parenting time schedule. Fathers also have the right to participate in their children’s upbringing, such as attending school events, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities.
If the mother denies the father his rights to parenting time or custody, he can file a motion with the court to enforce his rights. The court can then order the mother to comply with the parenting time or custody order or face legal consequences.
It’s also important to note that fathers have the right to be involved in important decisions affecting their children’s lives. This includes decisions related to education, healthcare, and religion. In joint custody cases, parents have an equal say in these decisions. In cases where one parent has primary custody, that parent has the right to make these decisions but must keep the other parent informed and consult with them when making major decisions.
In conclusion, fathers have important rights in paternity disputes and should be given the opportunity to play an active role in their children’s lives. Establishing paternity is the first step in ensuring fathers have legal rights to their children. From there, fathers have the right to seek custody or parenting time, participate in their children’s upbringing, and be involved in important decisions affecting their children’s lives. If a mother denies the father his rights, the father can seek legal remedies to enforce those rights. It’s important for fathers to know their rights and take steps to protect them to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children.
To learn more about Father’s rights, speak with an experienced attorney at Frangos Legal LLC. You can schedule a consultation by emailing us at [email protected], by telephone at 317-643-1345, or by booking online.