Lakewood Father’s Rights Attorney
Are you a father hoping to build a relationship with your children even if you are not married to their mother? Or do you have reason to question your paternity or wish to counter claims of your supposed paternity to a child?
Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law’s compassionate team of father’s rights lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight on your behalf in court to ensure your voice is heard.
Our Lakewood father’s rights lawyers will work diligently to ensure that the other party respects the court’s decision, especially if your paternity is recognized. We will also strive to protect your relationship with your child, regardless of the case’s outcome.
If other issues arise during your fight for paternity, you can trust us to help you navigate them as best as possible, so you don’t have to worry about them affecting your family in the future.
Call Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law at (216) 284-0714 for Your Free Consultation with a Lakewood Father’s Rights lawyer!
Understanding Parents’ Rights in Ohio
In Ohio, both parents automatically receive parenting rights if they were married at the time of the child’s birth. However, if the child is born to unmarried parents, the biological father does not have legal rights to the child unless he establishes paternity through the juvenile court or obtains a court order granting him custody or joint parenting. Until this issue is resolved, the unmarried mother will automatically have sole legal custody of the child.
There are three ways for an unmarried father to establish their paternity, and they are as follows:
- Signing the Affirmation of Paternity
- Get the Administrative Order Establishment of Paternity from the Child Support Enforcement Agency of Ohio (CSEA)
- Request for a court-sanctioned genetic test
Once paternity is established, the father must fulfill his new obligations. He will need to pay child support, reimburse the mother for her expenses, and provide for the child’s needs. Additionally, fathers can seek visitation rights and participate in decision-making for their child’s future.
At Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law, your assigned Lakewood father’s rights lawyer is ready to assist you in presenting your case to the court and establishing paternity. We will also help you schedule genetic testing and contact your local child support agency for assistance.
Importance of Legal Protection for Father-Child Relationships
While some unmarried couples can agree on sharing parenting rights, not all unmarried fathers have this opportunity unless they actively pursue their paternity rights. There is a risk that the mother might prevent you from seeing your child or being involved in their life.
By asserting your paternity rights, you can prevent such issues and ensure that you become a meaningful part of your child’s future. This also helps you build a strong familial relationship and grants your children access to your assets, medical history, and other benefits they might need.
Our Lakewood, OH family law firm is dedicated to fighting for your parental rights and ensuring that your child’s mother acknowledges these rights. We will also guide you through your new responsibilities to help you comply with them effectively.
Father’s Rights in Divorce Cases
For married fathers going through a divorce, exercising parental rights can become more challenging, as an ex-spouse may try to prevent you from seeing your children.
However, this shouldn’t be the case, as the law doesn’t automatically grant the mother custody rights upon divorce. In Ohio, the court considers the child’s best interests when determining parental responsibilities.
You can rely on our Lakewood father’s rights lawyers to help you advocate for your parental rights after divorce. If your ex-spouse attempts to exclude you from your child’s life, we can assist you in filing the necessary legal actions for the court to intervene.
Addressing Paternity Disputes
If you are alleged to be the child’s biological or legal father but dispute this claim, you can file a paternity lawsuit to have the court resolve the issue. The CSEA may also become involved if the mother or child receives financial support from the state.
If it hasn’t been done previously, the judge may require all parties to undergo genetic testing to settle the paternity dispute based on the results. Fathers can also contest the results of the paternity affidavit if they believe it was obtained under duress or confusion.
Paternity disputes can be challenging for all parties involved. The court aims to protect the child’s best interests while also ensuring the correct identification of parents. Our experienced Lakewood father’s rights lawyers understand these complexities and are committed to handling your situation carefully, ensuring that the results do not negatively impact your relationship with your children.
Why Choose Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law for Your Father’s Rights Case?
Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law’s team of Lakewood father’s rights lawyers understands how important fathers are in their children’s lives. However, the law does not readily recognize their rights if they are unmarried to their child’s mother. That’s why we are committed to serving as these fathers’ legal voice, advocating for their rights so their families can live in harmony. We also stand strong to help divorced fathers who are having problems exercising their rights and fight for those rights to be heard and recognized.
Our legal team can handle related issues that may arise during these trials, such as child support, child custody, and spousal support. We offer affordable and flexible payment options for all our clients so they don’t have to worry about fees while their cases are being heard.
Free Consultation Today
Don’t be afraid to fight for your father’s rights, especially if you want to be involved in your child’s life. Whether you are trying to establish your paternity or fighting for a clarification of your paternal obligations, Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law is ready to guide you through the entire legal process.
Take advantage of our free consultation service at any time, and let us clarify any concerns you may have regarding your parental rights.
Call Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law at (216) 284-0714 for Your Free Consultation with a Lakewood Father’s Rights lawyer!