UNMARRIED FATHER'S RIGHTS LAWYERS
CONTACT US: 513-752-0001. HERE TO LISTEN. HERE TO HELP.
UNMARRIED FATHERS ARE POWERLESS WITHOUT A COURT ORDER
Under Ohio law, an unmarried mother is automatically the sole residential parent and legal custodian of her child until a court designates another person as residential parent or legal custodian. Thus, the unmarried mother need not file anything to establish sole custody of her child. An unmarried father, however, has no legally enforceable rights with his child until a court designates or recognizes the unmarried father and the child's father by an establishment of paternity.
Paternity can be established in one of two ways: Acknowledgement by affidavit or through genetic testing. An unmarried father can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit, whereby both parents agree that they are the biological parents of the child and choose to be named as the child's legal parents. Genetic testing through a county's Child Support Enforcement Agency can also be used to establish paternity when paternity is in doubt or when an Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavit cannot be completed.
Once paternity has been established, an unmarried father may begin to enforce his parental rights based upon what is in the best interest of the child.
To speak with an experienced custody lawyer today, call Tekulve Law at 513-752-0001.