There are quite a few instances where unmarried couples turn to Frisco child custody lawyers. This can make an already complicated matter even more complex, as unmarried parents have to deal with significant challenges regarding who will be granted custody. The child custody lawyers in Frisco, TX, with Christman | Daniell Attorneys would like to share some information you might find helpful if you’re in this situation.

Custody and Unmarried Parents

Your Frisco child custody lawyers will need to have a deep understanding of this area of the law and experience dealing with this type of situation. In Texas, the law dictates that the mother will be granted automatic custody when the couple is unmarried – unless the father has established his paternity to the court’s satisfaction. If that’s not the case, then the father will only have very limited rights – even if his name is on the child’s birth certificate.

It’s essential that the child custody lawyers you choose will be able to carefully explain both the mother’s and father’s rights. There are, for example, certain instances where an unmarried mother will have a significant advantage. If the father has not legally established his paternity, then it will basically be up to the mother to choose whether or not the father can visit the child and when those visits will be allowed. The mother will be able to make all decisions on behalf of the child and could also leave the state without telling the father.

On the other hand, if the father has not established paternity, he cannot be forced to pay child support.

But, as any good child custody lawyer will quickly point out, fathers have rights, too – as long as their paternity has been legally established. In fact, they will have the same rights in a child custody case as a married father.

If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact our Frisco child custody lawyers. You can call Christman | Daniell Attorneys at 972.445.9907 or contact us online.