Parental Rights and Responsibilities When Paternity Is Established
Raising a child is hard work. It can be challenging when both parents are working to achieve the same goal, but if parents are not together or if the father has not been identified, it can be even harder. Whether you are a mother who needs child support from an unresponsive father, or you are a father who is being denied parenting time with your child, it is important to work with an experienced Boone County fathers' rights attorney.
At my firm – Mingus Law Office – I help parents in Columbia and throughout central Missouri understand their parental rights and responsibilities. I have 18 years of experience helping people work through difficult times, and I can help you establish paternity or defend your fathers' rights.
Understanding the Importance of Paternity in Missouri
Many new fathers do not have a strong understanding of the legal significance of paternity. Some dads think that because their names are on the birth certificates that they are legally recognized as the father and should have rights to spend time with their kids. Some moms think that they do not need to allow a new baby's dad to spend time with the child until he pays child support.
Paternity must be established for a father to have the right to spend time with his child or for a mother to have the right to child support. Once paternity is established, I work with parents to help them understand the rights and obligations that come with being a parent. We work together to create a custody and visitation schedule that is in the best interests of the child, and we help determine appropriate child support payments.
If you are interested in learning more about your parental rights, schedule an initial consultation with an experienced Columbia paternity lawyer. I can be reached online or by calling 888-380-7204.