Why Establish Paternity In Franklin?
Many men assume that when they have a child, they are automatically presumed to be the legal father. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Men are only presumed to be the legal biological father of a child when they are married to the woman at the time of the birth. In any other instance, men must establish paternity. Paternity can be established either voluntarily or involuntarily. Regardless of the route chosen, there are many benefits for the entire family when paternity is established. Below, our Franklin paternity attorney explains what these are.
The Right to Child Custody
When paternity is not established, the mother of the child has no legal obligation to allow visitation between the father and the child. She also does not have any duty to enter into a shared custody agreement. Before a father can petition the courts for child custody or visitation rights, they must establish paternity. This is the only way to prove that a man has the right to spend time with their child.
The Right to Child Support
Just as men do not have the right to child custody before they establish paternity, mothers also do not have the right to pursue child support until paternity has been established. Child support can help mothers offset the financial burden of the child’s daily expenses, schooling, health care, and other costs. Until it has been proven who the biological child of the father is, though, mothers do not have the right to ask for this type of support.
Provide Access to Medical History for the Child
It is important that everyone understands their family medical history. This is the only way to know if one is predisposed to developing certain conditions, disorders, and diseases. When paternity is not established, children have no right to access the health records of their father and so, they may now understand the health risks they face or how to mitigate them. To ensure that children have the right to access their family’s medical history, it is imperative to establish paternity.
Creating Close Bonds for the Whole Family
Children have the right to form a relationship and bond with both of their parents. When paternity is not established, they do not have the chance to become close with their father. Likewise, fathers also do not have the opportunity to develop a relationship with their children until paternity is established. The only way to make sure that fathers and children can form the bonds so essential to each party’s mental and emotional well-being is to establish paternity.
Our Paternity Attorney in Franklin Can Help with Your Case
Whether you are a father who wants to develop a relationship with their child, or you are a mother seeking child support, our Franklin paternity attorney can help. At Beal | Crutcher, our skilled attorney can advise on the options available for establishing paternity, and guide you through whatever process is most appropriate. Call us now at 615-861-2304 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Sources:
tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/Establishing_Paternity.pdf
law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-36/chapter-6/part-1/36-6-106/
