Father’s Right’s Attorney in Laguna CA
Discover how a father’s rights attorney in Laguna CA can protect your rights
Many men who are considering their rights with their children assume that the courts work today the way they’ve worked for many centuries: That women get preference over men in custody and visitation arguments. Luckily, this is not the case. The court today only considers what’s in the best interest of the child. That said, having the right father’s rights attorney in Laguna CA is the best way to ensure the judge understands what type of father you are.
How to establish paternity without a father’s rights attorney in Laguna CA
In some cases, the law will assume the paternity of a child. For example, if a husband and wife are married when the baby is born and if the child is born to a woman who has been living with a man in a family-like manner and that man has shown commitment to the child. Absent either of these two situations, paternity must be established.
The easiest way in most cases involves both parents signing a “voluntary declaration of paternity.” If the child is born in a hospital, the nurses will provide the form to the mother and alleged father. When they sign the form, they are both acknowledging that they are the parents of the child and the father’s name is then added to the birth certificate. The father also has every right and responsibility for that child.
How to establish paternity with a father’s rights attorney in Laguna CA
If neither of the above situations are relevant, then paternity must be handled through the court. California state law allows any of the following to ask for a paternity order:
- The mother of the child
- A man who believes he’s the father
- A man who’s been identified as a possible father
- An adoption agency
- A child support agency providing services to the mother
If the child whose paternity is in question is not yet 12 years old then are not considered a party in the case, but they are if they’re 12 or older. Either way, a court representative referred to as a “guardian ad litem,” will be appointed to represent the best interests of the child. The judge can require genetic testing of the potential father(s) and if they refuse the tests, then the judge can consider that evidence that they’re the father.
Not having custody doesn’t mean there are no responsibilities
Are you a father who wants custody of your child? Are you a father who has custody but needs to get child support from the child’s mother? Do you need assistance from the mother to pay medical costs, cover health insurance, etc. Or have you been accused of being the father to a child and you’re not sure it’s true? If any of these are true about you then it’s time to reach out to a father’s rights attorney in Laguna CA.
You have rights and it’s important that they’re respected. Reach out now to contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation. We can tell you exactly what your options are.
