Morris County Fathers’ Rights Lawyer
Although mothers and fathers have equal rights as parents under the law, fathers are sometimes forced to take legal action to protect their rights in family law disputes. If you are facing a violation of your rights as a father, you need skilled legal counsel by your side to advocate for you.
At Moskowitz Law Group, we are ready to fiercely defend your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly as a parent. Contact a Morris County fathers’ rights lawyer to discuss your case with a dedicated professional.
Establishing Paternity in Morris County
In order to have rights as a father, paternity needs to be established. Paternity can be established through an agreement between the parents, or by listing the father on the birth certificate. In the case of a married couple, the husband is presumed to be the father of a child born during the marriage. If parties disagree on paternity, a DNA test can be used to prove that someone is or is not the child’s biological father. The court may order a DNA test when issues of paternity arise in a family law case.
When Paternity is Not Established
If a DNA test finds that the person in question is not the biological father, this can often end the case in terms of legal rights and responsibilities as a parent. The individual has no obligation to pay child support, but also has no inherent visitation rights. However, if a man has raised a child for a significant period of time and later finds out by a DNA test that he is not the biological father, he still may have parental rights and obligations because he may be considered a “psychological parent.” This means that he has established the psychological bonds over time with the child and therefore retains rights and responsibilities as a father.
A lack of biological paternity does not necessarily strip a father of his rights to a child. Every case is different, and a Morris County attorney can help a father fight for his rights after a DNA test disproves a biological relation to his child.
When Might Parental Rights Be Denied to a Father?
If it is found that a man is the biological father of a child, he will be granted parental rights in most cases. However, there are still certain situations where a father’s rights to their child will be limited or denied entirely.
The most important aspect of a child custody case is the best interests of the child. If the court finds that living with or visiting the father is not in the best interests of the child, they could limit a father’s visitation or custody rights accordingly. Situations where this could come into play are those involving mental health issues, abuse, or drug use.
A father that refuses to cooperate with paternity testing could also end up losing parental rights in the long run. A father that does not comply with DNA testing and is later found to be the biological father of the child could face losing custody rights in the future and might be ordered to pay child support for the child. It is best for those facing paternity disputes in Morris County to work with a fathers’ rights attorney who can ensure they do not complicate their case further.
Do Not Wait to Contact a Morris County Fathers’ Rights Attorney
If you are dealing with a co-parent who is not respecting your rights to your child, it is important to take immediate legal action to protect your rights as a father. Your child has the right to have a relationship with both parents, and a Morris County fathers’ rights lawyer can fight for you and your child to get you the custody and visitation you deserve.
At Moskowitz Law Group, our legal team is experienced in handling paternity cases and will not let the court or a selfish co-parent take advantage of you. To get started on your case, set up a free consultation today.
