After a separation, it can be hard to decide on a parenting schedule for the children. Fathers have significant rights when making custody determinations. It is important for fathers to understand their legal rights before making any custody decisions. A knowledgeable Leesburg father’s rights lawyer can assist you in understanding your custody rights.
At Capital Family & Divorce Law Group, our attorneys advocate for fathers and their parenting rights. Our team of experienced family attorneys can answer your questions and help guide you throughout the custody process.
What Are a Father’s Rights?
Fathers have the right to spend time and help raise their children just as mothers do. There is no presumption that a mother should be given primary custody anymore. Fathers’ rights ensure that fathers are able to have a meaningful and equal role in raising their children. After parents separate, parenting time and visitation may be equal between parents as can decision-making authority regarding the children. Additionally, the parents would also both be responsible for financially supporting the children. When making these important decisions about children, the court will focus on the best interests of the children. The court will generally presume that the children benefit from having quality time with both parents. An experienced Leesburg attorney can assist in understanding what rights fathers have after a separation.
How is Paternity Established to Begin Father’s Rights?
The first step in establishing a father’s rights is to establish paternity. Paternity can be established through DNA testing, filing a petition with the court, or signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity. The parties can voluntarily get DNA testing to prove paternity, or a Court can order it to establish paternity. If a party files a petition with the court to determine paternity, the court will likely order that the parties participate in DNA testing to establish paternity. A Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity is when both parents sign a form acknowledging paternity. This is often done after the baby is born at the hospital. Once paternity is established, the father can then request parenting time and assist in making decisions for the child. A father’s rights lawyer in Leesburg can assist in guiding fathers through the process of establishing paternity.
What is Joint Custody?
Once a father has established paternity, it is necessary to establish custody. Courts typically favor joint custody if it is in the best interests of the children. Joint custody is when parents share the responsibilities of raising the children. With joint legal custody, both the mother and the father are involved in making educational, health care, and religious decisions for the children. Joint physical custody is a determination made about the physical time spent with both parents. Often, joint physical custody involves the children spending an equal amount of time in the homes of each parent. A dedicated Leesburg father’s rights attorney can answer questions about joint custody and how it may impact a custody case.
Contact a Leesburg Father’s Rights Attorney Today
Fathers have the right to spend time with their children and to assist in making important decisions regarding their children. The court will examine the best interests of the children, but often that means spending an equal amount of time with both their mother and their father. An experienced Leesburg father’s rights lawyer can answer your questions about your rights.
The lawyers at Capital Family & Divorce Law Group understand the importance of fathers spending time with their children. We fight for fathers’ rights. Contact our team today to discuss your custody case.
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