As a father, you may feel concerned about the possibility of unfair treatment during child custody or visitation proceedings. While the law does not formally benefit the mother, often court rulings favor a mother’s desires.
However, you have equal rights as a parent. You can protect your parental privileges with the help of a skilled family lawyer. Before you begin a court proceeding that could impact your relationship with your children for the rest of your life, let a Lincoln County father’s rights lawyer from Addair Law advocate on your behalf.
Understanding Custody Rights
Understanding the basics of custody rights in the context of fathers and their children is helpful for any case. There are two main types of custody arrangements under state law: physical and legal. Physical custody—often referred to as residential custody—refers to where the children primarily reside. Legal custody involves decision-making authority on vital issues like religion, education, and healthcare.
The courts generally favor joint legal and physical custody. This approach allows both parents to have a say in important matters impacting their child’s life. When the circumstances allow for it, the court may award joint physical custody that allows the children to split their time equally between both parents. On the other hand, if this arrangement is not feasible, one parent will be designated as the residential parent. The other will be granted reasonable visitation rights, known as parenting time.
These rights are the same for a father and a mother. The law does not discriminate or play favorites. However, fathers often face a court system that refuses to treat them fairly.
Decisions regarding a father’s custody or visitation rights are not gender-based. Instead, the court must only consider one key issue: the child’s best interest. This is a subjective standard, but the law provides several things for a judge to consider, including:
The child’s age
The health of each party
The child’s medical needs
The child’s emotional needs
Any history of domestic violence
How the child adjusts to a living situation
A skilled father’s rights attorney in Lincoln County could assist a dad with his claim, ensuring the child’s best interests are accounted for.
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Facing Previous Mistakes Head-On
Some fathers’ prior actions impact the outcome of their child custody case. While child custody and support orders are final, the judge retains the power to amend them.
A father’s steps to improve themselves could also improve their chances in future custody or visitation hearings. This is especially true for fathers who lose their visitation rights to their children due to their actions. For example, it could be possible for a father with a history of alcohol abuse to receive treatment and take control of their life.
In these situations, it could be possible to petition the court for a change to the custody or visitation agreement. Any time there is a material change in circumstances, seeking a more favorable arrangement in a custody agreement is possible with the guidance of a compassionate Lincoln County paternal rights lawyer.
Call a Lincoln County Father’s Rights Attorney Today
As a father, you may worry about the outcome of a custody or visitation hearing. Your ability to build a strong relationship with your child is at stake.
