Fathers' Rights Lawyer Fort Myers
Skilled Fort Myers Fathers' Rights Attorney: Call (239) 970-6844
First, it is important to understand that unmarried individuals who have a child together do not have the same legal rights as married couples.
The process for establishing the terms of a divorce, including the following, is more complex for unmarried parents:
Whether you are married or not, however, your best chance of protecting your rights as a father is to work with an experienced Fort Myers lawyer who can pursue a positive outcome for you and your child. The legal team at Powell, Jackman & Ricciardi, P.A. promises to make your satisfaction our top priority and always treat you and your case with integrity, honesty, and respect.
Contact our firm today for custom solutions to serious legal problems! Se habla español.
The Role of the Birth Certificate in Fathers' Rights
If you signed your child’s birth certificate, you acknowledged that you are the biological father, which also makes you legally responsible for the child. Legal responsibility makes you accountable for the financial support of the child but not necessarily for physically caring for the child if you are not married to the mother. If you desire to have a more active role in raising the child, however, you will want to file a petition to establish paternity with the court.
This process will set parameters for your rights to access to the child, including time-sharing arrangements and decision-making criteria. The court will prioritize the best interests of the child in setting these parameters, which usually involves equitable time with both parents. The petition process will also establish child support requirements.
Importance of Hiring Your Advocates
Fathers’ rights look different for married fathers versus unmarried fathers, so make sure you talk to a knowledgeable family law attorney about your specific circumstances. Our firm seeks to help clients develop a working parenting plan that protects each party’s rights. As a father, you and your child should have reasonable time to build a relationship with one another.
