Dads play a crucial role in the lives of their children, even if they are not married to the mother. Unmarried Nebraska dads can be loving, active and involved parents, but they may find that it’s difficult to get the time they want with their kids and access to their lives. In some cases, it may be necessary to fight for custody and visitation rights or settle a paternity dispute in order to establish parental rights.
One common problem for unmarried dads is the mother attempting to keep the dad from having access to his child. If the dad is not on the birth certificate and not married to the mother, he will first need to establish paternity before fighting for fathers’ rights in court. This process validates the biological connection between the father and his children.
DNA testing is sometimes a part of establishing paternity. If there is no real dispute between the parents, it may be possible to do this without testing. Regardless, once the paternal link is verified, the dad can then take legal steps to secure his rightful parenting time. This may involve going to court, or it may simply be a matter of negotiating a reasonable parenting plan with the mother to present for approval from the court.
Unmarried Nebraska dads sometimes face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining their role in the lives of their kids. They may find it beneficial to navigate these concerns with the support and guidance of an attorney who is experienced in fathers’ rights and paternity matters. If there is concern over custody or visitation, it may help to first seek an explanation of the legal options available.