21 Mar 4 Ways to Protect Your Parental Rights
The thought of protecting your parental rights can be a scary one. If you and your partner are on tumultuous ground, children make it more complex. The thought of losing your children is also frightening. When it comes to your children, you want what is best for them. You also want to make sure that your rights as a parent are protected.
What steps can you take to ensure that your parental rights are safe? How can you fight for those rights? Let’s discuss 4 ways:
- Make sure paternity/maternity is established
When a birth occurs, the person who gave birth is noted on the birth certificate as one parent. Anyone else involved – whether it is the biological father, an adoptive parent, or the partner in a same-sex couple – must make sure they are added as well. It is not necessary for both lines on the birth certificate to be filled out. Therefore, ensuring your name is on there is important.
If your name is not on the certificate for whatever reason, establishing that you are a parent is a necessary step. If you are a biological parent, this can be done by taking a paternity test. If not, it is important to make sure any adoption or other paperwork is filed to make sure you have parental rights. Today’s definition of family is not necessarily nuclear anymore. Regardless, in order to have parental rights, there must be some kind of legal paperwork.
- Get a custody arrangement
There are two types of custody: physical and legal. In Texas, physical custody is called possession and access, and legal custody is called conservatorship. Possession and access involves where your children live. Conservatorship custody involves the decision making power for important things such as education. There are various custody arrangements that are possible. Both possession and conservatorship can be awarded sole or joint. Sole custody means one parent holds it alone. Joint means both parents hold the custody type. Managing conservators make decisions about the child, while possessory conservators are entitled to visits with the child. There are also visitation rights that can be determined by the court.
In determining custody, the courts will look at what the best interest for the child is. There are many factors that come into play for this, such as:
• The wishes of the child;
• The mental and physical health of the parents;
• Any special needs a child may have and how each parent takes care of those needs;
• Location of each parent.
No matter what custody arrangement you want, it is important to get it decided legally. This protects your right to be with your children and make decisions when it comes to their care.
- Get a child support order
Child support orders are just as important as custody orders. Whether you are the parent with possession or not, child support protects both your standard of living and your child’s comfort. Having it decided in court means you are set to receive or give a certain amount. That amount cannot change unless circumstances change and a judge decides. - Get a family law attorney
When it comes to family law situations, you want what is best for you and your family. Hiring a family law attorney can help make that happen. Family lawyers advocate on behalf of what is best for you and your children. They can protect your parental rights. Whether it is custody, support, divorce, or anything else, you should hire an attorney.
If you need your parental rights protected, contact Navarette Bowen P.C. We have a team of experienced child custody lawyers that can help. We will fight for your parental rights. Our main office is located in downtown Denton and you can contact us to set up a confidential consultation to discuss your circumstances and receive guidance.