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Three Things Fathers Need To Know About The Child Custody Rights In Galveston County

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Separated and divorced fathers face some unique challenges in the child custody and visitation process. You may have questions or concerns about your rights as a dad. At Lindamood & Robinson, P.C., we have extensive experience helping parents protect their rights and find solutions. In this article, our top-rated Galveston County child custody lawyers highlight three key things that Texas fathers should know about their parental rights. 

  1. Paternity is the Basis of a Fathers’ Rights in Texas 

As a starting point, it is important to emphasize the fact that paternity is the basis of a father’s parental rights in Texas. If you do not have paternity, you do not have parental rights. For divorced or soon-to-be divorced dads, paternity is generally a straightforward matter. When parents are married at the time of the child’s birth, paternity is automatic. For unmarried fathers, proactive action must be taken to prove paternity. You have two options: submit a joint Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) with the child’s mother or seek a paternity order. If you have any specific questions about seeking paternity, our Galveston County paternity lawyers can help. 

  1. The Law Applies Equally to Both Parents—But Fathers Face Some Challenges 

Many dads have questions about whether a child’s mother has greater paternal rights. Under Texas law, the answer is ‘no’—custody and visitation laws are gender-neutral. Texas gives fathers every right to pursue equal custody or even sole custody. That is not to say that dads do not face some challenges. The United States Census Bureau estimates that fathers make up one in six (17.5 percent) of custodial parents nationwide. Still, an experienced Galveston County, TX child custody lawyer can help you seek full and fair parental rights. Do not assume that you are without options. 

  1. The Best Interests of the Child are Always the Primary Consideration in Texas 

Technically speaking, Texas uses the term “conservatorship” to refer to the concept of child custody. Under Texas Family Code § 153.002, any custody dispute will include primary consideration for the “best interest of the child.” In effect, this means that Texas family courts will focus on coming to a custody & visitation arrangement that best supports the child’s health, emotional well-being, and positive social development. As a father looking to establish your parental rights, it is essential that you demonstrate that you can provide a happy, stable home environment for your kids. By doing so, you will be in the best position to achieve your desired outcome.

Get Help From a Child Custody Lawyer in Galveston County, Texas

At Lindamood & Robinson, P.C., our Texas family law attorneys have deep expertise representing parents. If you are a father with questions about custody or visitation rights, we are ready to help. Contact our firm right away for a completely confidential initial consultation. Our legal team represents dads throughout Galveston County, including in Galveston, Dickinson, Santa Fe, Kemah, Hitchcock, and Clear Shore Lakes.

Resource:

census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/P60-255.pdf

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