Houston Father's Rights Lawyers

Father’s Rights Attorneys Providing Legal Services to Clients Facing Parental Disputes

In the past, many courts viewed mothers as the main caretaker of a child, whereas fathers were considered a provider with less involvement in the process of raising the child. Nowadays, the courts understand the importance for a child to rely equally on both parents, not just economically but emotionally. 

Courts now focus on giving equal rights and responsibilities for mothers and fathers, focusing on the child’s best interests. At ALP Law Firm, we help fathers seeking to exercise their rights to have a relationship with their children when parental disputes and alienation become an issue.

Understanding Fathers' Rights and Responsibilities in Texas

The state of Texas recognizes the key role that fathers play in the upbringing of their children, and gives them rights to be involved and make key decisions concerning the well-being of their children, as well as parental duties that fathers are expected to perform. Those duties apply to both parents and include caring for, protecting, and controlling the child; providing basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education, and managing the child’s estate.

Texas also gives parents certain rights. Those include making important decisions concerning the child’s health (giving consent to medical, surgical, psychological, or dental treatments, for example); the right to represent the child in any legal action; the right to make decisions in regards to the child’s education; and any other right or duty existing between a child and a parent by law.

Parental Rights for Alleged Fathers in Texas

Under certain legal circumstances, a man is presumed to be the father of a child, meaning the law will automatically assume that a certain individual is the biological and legal father of a child. That usually happens when a baby is born to a married couple, or when a father who is not married to the child’s mother voluntarily agrees to establish paternity.

However, an alleged father is an unwed man who claims to be the father of a child, but whose legal relationship to the child has not been established. While alleged fathers do not automatically receive the same parental rights and duties as that of a presumed father, an alleged father can register with the Texas alleged father registry. This allows him to receive a notification in case the child he claims to be the biological father of is put up for adoption.

Steps to Take if You're Denied Visitation Rights

If you are the legal father of a child and your ex is preventing you from having visitation time as ordered by the court, you can file for a contempt request. This is an option when you have a parenting schedule set by a court and your ex is refusing to comply with it. A court can then determine whether your ex is in contempt of court or not and issue fines and even jail time if applicable.

The only way a parent can legally prevent the child from seeing the other parent is in extreme situations such as domestic violence or abuse. Generally speaking, the courts will only allow a parent to keep their ex from having contact with the children if that person represents a real risk to the child’s physical and/or emotional well-being.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity in Texas

Establishing paternity in Texas offers numerous benefits for both the child and the parents, particularly in terms of legal rights, emotional well-being, and financial stability. For the child, establishing paternity secures the legal right to benefits from the father, including:

• Inheritance rights
• Access to medical history
• Eligibility for financial support such as social security, veterans' benefits, and health insurance. 

It also provides the child with a sense of identity and connection to both parents, which can be crucial for emotional and psychological development.

For the father, establishing paternity ensures legal rights and responsibilities regarding the child, including the right to seek custody or visitation and the ability to make decisions about the child's welfare, such as education and healthcare. It also allows the father to build a meaningful relationship with the child, which can be vital for both the father's and the child's emotional health.

For the mother, establishing paternity can provide financial support and legal assistance in raising the child. It also ensures that the father shares in the responsibilities of parenthood, which can ease the emotional and financial burdens on the mother. 

Additionally, legal paternity establishes a framework for co-parenting, which can lead to a more stable and cooperative environment for raising the child.

Establishing paternity in Texas is a critical step in securing legal, financial, and emotional benefits for the child, ensuring the father's rights and responsibilities.

Don't wait to get started on your case! Contact our firm at (346) 536-9842 to speak to a member of our firm.