Why are child custody and support more important than ever for an unmarried father in Carlsbad? It is becoming more of a norm for children to be born to unwed parents in California and across the nation.
The New York Times recently noted more than 50% of women under the age of 30 who have a baby are unmarried in the US. Overall, 59% of children born in the United States have married parents. This means 41% of all children born in the US are to unmarried parents. Most unmarried fathers are quite surprised to learn that all child custody rights remain with the mother of the child if the parents are unmarried.
Child custody and parenting time legal rights are retained solely by the unmarried mother of a child unless the father asserts his rights in a legal process known as a “paternity action.” This means the mother is free to deny visitation or to take the child and move out of the area, out-of-state or out of the country and the unmarried father without established paternity has no say in the matter.
This is true even if you filled out paperwork at the hospital and are listed on the birth certificate. It is also true, even if you are paying child support. Child custody and support for an unmarried father in Carlsbad are legally two separate issues.
This is why it is important to contact the experienced paternity attorneys and Certified Family Law Specialists at Burke & Domercq to learn about the process to establish legal paternity and protect your rights to see your child and participate in important decisions regarding the child’s welfare including but not limited to:
- Education
- Healthcare and medical decisions
- Religious practices
We invite you to protect your own interests as an unmarried father and contact us or call 760-389-3927 to schedule an appointment for a remote or socially distanced consultation with one of our experienced Certified Family Law Specialists.
Learn about the process to establish your paternity and seek orders from the court establishing important child custody and parenting time rights.