Legal Help for Unmarried Parents
Children of unmarried parents have a right to have both parents involved in their lives, just as the children of married parents do. There are legal steps both parents can take to ensure that these rights are fulfilled.
Missouri family lawyer JoAnn C. Donovan has been representing clients in paternity and related matters for 25 years. Contact us to schedule a free, completely confidential initial consultation.
Winning Visitation and Custody Rights
These days, it is common for the father of a child — when he is not married to the mother — to acknowledge paternity at the time of birth. Simply taking this action does not, however, automatically give the father custody and visitation rights.
When the father of a child has been acknowledged, he can seek child visitation, legal custody and possibly physical custody under certain circumstances. Only after a family court order has been issued can the father's visitation and/or custody rights be enforced.
If there is no father listed on the child's birth certificate, then there is a two-step process. First, paternity needs to be established. Then there needs to be a custody and visitation determination.
At JoAnn C. Donovan LLC Attorney at Law, we have represented many St. Louis County and St. Charles County clients in paternity and related cases. Contact us to get skilled legal help to protect your children and your relationship with them.
Obtaining Child SupportA child has a legal right to support from both parents, whether or not they were ever married. If your child is not currently receiving child support, you have a right to seek it, and you may even be required to do so in certain circumstances, for instance if you are applying for public benefits. If the paternity of your child is not acknowledged on the birth certificate, you will need to get a paternity judgment before you can use the state of Missouri's child support collection system. We can help you take this step. |
