Hilliard Father’s Rights Attorneys
In Ohio, when a baby is born to a married couple, the husband is automatically presumed to be the father. The state fully supports his rights to play an active role in the child’s life, including his rights to custody, visitation, and decision-making authority. Things are quite different, however, for unmarried fathers in Ohio cities such as Hilliard.
In Ohio, if a child is born outside of marriage, then the mother has all parental rights and is the legal custodian of the child automatically until a court issues orders establishing parental rights for the father. This means that, from a legal perspective, the child’s mother has all of the rights to make all decisions regarding the child. She even has the right to deny the father access to the child. In order for an unmarried father in Ohio to secure his rights to take part in his child’s upbringing, he must first establish paternity and then obtain a court order that grants him custody, shared parenting, or parenting time.
Panico Law Group, LLC is a Hilliard family law firm that is dedicated to helping fathers navigate the very complex legal process of establishing paternity and petitioning the court for parental rights. We are passionate about giving you the knowledge, resources, and legal representation that you need to safeguard your rights as well as your children’s welfare.
Call Panico Law Group, LLC at (614) 964-9860 for a Free Consultation.
How the Law Addresses Paternity
There are several reasons why unmarried parents should establish the paternity of their child—regardless of their relationship with each other. These reasons include:
- The child can qualify for benefits from their father, such as Social Security, medical insurance, veterans’ benefits, and other state, federal, and inheritance benefits.
- The child can access medical histories from both parents.
- Either parent can request a judge to order a custody and visitation schedule.
- The father and mother can help each other with the financial obligation to pay for costs on child support, health insurance, and education.
In the state of Ohio, an unmarried father can have himself legally recognized as a child’s father in two ways. The first is through voluntary acknowledgment by both parents, and the second is through genetic testing at the request of the mother, father or the child’s legal representative or guardian.
Once paternity is established, the father can then proceed to establish his rights as the child’s father. He does this by petitioning the court and seeking orders to establish his parental rights and responsibilities. Asserting one’s rights and protecting one’s interests as a child’s father is a challenging process in Hilliard, but it is a most fulfilling one, which is why it is very important that you work with a trusted Hilliard father’s rights attorney such as Panico Law Group, LLC.
Protecting Your Child
Establishing paternity and establishing a father’s rights is not just for the benefit of the father. Every child deserves to build a loving relationship with both of their parents and having a relationship with their dad is important. When it comes to allocating the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of your minor children, the courts of Ohio take into account the best interests of the child. The courts consider the child’s preferences and concerns, adjustment, relationships, safety, health, needs, etc.
By establishing your parentage, you allow your child the opportunity to have both parents’ support, and, in certain circumstances, the opportunity to stay with the parent who can give them the support, provision, and quality of life that they deserve.
If you have some questions or concerns about safeguarding your child’s rights as well as your own rights as their father, we are ready to assist you. Our family law attorneys are equipped with the knowledge and experience to confidently and efficiently guide you through the legal procedures involved.
Proving or Contesting Paternity?
While most of our paternity cases involve men seeking to prove that they are the biological father of a child, there are also some who are feeling uncertain about their paternity to a child that they’re responsible for. And the latter can be just as challenging as the former!
But you don’t have to worry, because whether you’re seeking to prove or contest your parentage to a child, we at Panico Law Group, LLC have the strong team of Hilliard family lawyers ready to provide you the legal counsel and guidance that you need throughout the entire legal process.
Your Hilliard Parental Rights Lawyer
The journey to establish paternity, contest paternity, and establish the parental rights of a father is not only important in the father’s life. These legal processes provide for a child’s right to have the best quality of life. If a father chooses to not pursue his rights, a mother can establish his parental responsibilities to support the child.
Paternity and father’s rights are quite personal and delicate topics for all of the parties involved, but it’s important to know the legalities and procedures involved in them so that you can be prepared and know what to expect.
If you have any concerns about paternity and father’s rights, the Hilliard paternity attorneys at Panico Law Group, LLC can help provide answers as well as inform you about your possible legal options.
Call Panico Law Group, LLC now at (614) 964-9860 for your Free Consultation with a Parental Rights Attorney!