Philadelphia Father’s Rights Lawyer
Historically, the US legal system granted certain preferences in favor of a child’s mother in divorce or when the parents were not in an intact relationship. These relics of the past have been eliminated by updates to Pennsylvania laws on father’s rights, which recognize that both parents have equal authority with respect to custody and visitation. Unfortunately, misconceptions remain, which means some fathers face an uphill battle to be a part of their child’s lives.
As a father, you want to maintain a solid parent-child relationship and know that your child enjoys a safe, healthy environment. Because there can be challenges despite the laws that put you on equal footing, retaining legal counsel is critical. The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane will support you in enforcing your rights, so please contact our firm to set up a consultation today. A Philadelphia father’s rights lawyer can provide additional details, and some background information is useful.
Summary of Father’s Rights Under Pennsylvania Law
You are probably well-aware of many of the rights that apply to your situation, but there are some that you might not realize. For instance:
Custody: There are multiple arrangements for custody, which is not limited to where the child resides. Custody involves the important decisions parents make when raising the child, so many fathers will prefer a joint arrangement that enables them to participate.
Visitation: Though custody involves more than just living arrangements, the child may reside primarily with one parent for convenience and school purposes. The other has parenting time, so some fathers will be exercising visitation rights.
Support: All children are entitled to support from both parents, but the residential parent will usually expend more to serve the child’s needs. Therefore, the other will be required to pay child support.
Aside from these familiar concepts, keep in mind that father’s rights also touch on public benefits. When a father is entitled to Social Security, workers’ compensation, or disability, your child may also gain from these benefits. For individuals who pass away without a will, a child has the right to inherit under intestacy laws.
Protecting Father’s Rights in Legal Proceedings
Keep in mind that the rights described above only attach when paternity has been officially established. Parentage is less of an issue in divorce, since spouses are both presumed to be the parents of a child born to a marital relationship. However, an unwed father must either obtain consent from the mother via an Acknowledgement of Paternity or go through paternity proceedings. The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane can assist with these requirements to ensure the law recognizes you as the legal father.
In addition, a Pennsylvania father’s rights attorney can handle other important tasks and issues that arise.
- We will work with your child’s other parent and attorney to work out an agreement on custody and visitation. Negotiating a compromise in these areas prevents a lengthy court battle.
- You can trust our team to assist with mediation to resolve disputes over father’s rights. This proceeding can often produce an agreement through guidance from a specially trained mediation professional.
- If a contested hearing is necessary to protect your father’s rights, we will develop a solid strategy and fight to obtain the best possible outcome.
Count on a Philadelphia Father’s Rights Lawyer for Assistance
While it is reassuring to know that your interests are on equal par with your child’s mother, you can see that exercising your rights can be challenging. For advice and guidance with legal proceedings, please contact the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane. We are happy to set up an initial consultation with a skilled Philadelphia father’s rights lawyer.
