Columbus Paternity Attorney
Many fathers do not understand the full extent of the rights they have with their children, as well as the steps they need to take to legally establish those rights. At the law offices of Robert L. Caplan Attorney at Law, we are committed to helping fathers understand and exercise their parental rights and seek formal visitation and custody to preserve the relationships they have with their children.
Columbus Paternity Lawyer — Representation In Establishing Paternity And Seeking Parental Rights
Under Ohio family law, paternity is established by three main criteria: marriage to the mother of the child at the time of the child’s birth, a signed acknowledgement of paternity affidavit or a court order which states that you are the father.
A signature on the birth certificate does not legally establish you as the father. If you are doubting that you are the father, you can seek court-ordered genetic testing to formally determine whether or not you are the father.
Until paternity is established and a court order exists for visitation rights, a father has no paternal rights to the child, either for visitation or custody. Parenting time is at the mother’s discretion. Even if the mother is granting you parenting time with your child right now but there is no legal order, it is important that you complete the process of formally seeking rights to ensure that you maintain your current visitation with your child. You never know when conditions may change between you and the mother in the future.
For fathers who are not married to the mother, the court usually grants similar parenting time as divorced fathers. The Court has a standard model parenting time schedule that allows the father to generally get time every other weekend, one weekday evening and half of the summer and holidays. This is known in Columbus as Rule 22 parenting time.
To learn more about your rights as a father and how we can help you understand your options and alternatives, please contact our law firm today by calling 614-252-2026.