At Stepp & Sullivan, our Fathers’ Rights attorneys in Houston know that with very few exceptions, the general assumption is that the husband is the father of his wife’s child(ren) in Texas.
Unfortunately, no matter how devoted the couple is, that assumption does not hold true when the parents are not married.
This can create a confusing scenario if the couple dissolves their relationship, as men who are not married to the mothers of their children must take steps to establish a father-child relationship before they have the right to legally pursue custody or visitation options.
Our family law attorneys in Harris County have more than 70 years of combined legal experience helping unwed fathers be the dads they were before their breakups, so they can continue the relationship they have built with their children going forward.
In Texas, there are several ways to pursue your Fathers’ Rights. Here is what our residents should know about the legal process.
Did You Complete a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity When the Child Was Born?
The Texas Uniform Parentage Act outlines a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity that allows the father to assert his paternity of the child by voluntarily being named as such on the birth certificate while ensuring the record is filed with Texas Vital Statistics.
If you have completed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, you have already effectively enacted your father’s rights, as this is considered legal proof of paternity.
If you have not, you still have options.
Have You Taken a Paternity Test to Confirm You are the Child’s Father?
There are times when the parents may not agree on who the father is, whether they were in a non-marital relationship when the child was born or not.
This denial may stem from the child’s mother not wanting to allow her child’s father access to his parental rights, or for other reasons, but the paternity process can be easily achieved with the help of a family law attorney.
Typically, genetic testing or DNA testing is ordered to confirm or deny paternity.
When it is proven, through DNA, that you are the father of the child, the family law judge assigned to your case will confirm your fathers’ rights through adjudication of paternity.
Do You Need Help Enforcing Fathers’ Rights in Texas?
If you would like help pursuing your fathers’ rights in Texas, contact our experienced family law attorneys in Houston today at 713) 336-7200 or online to discuss your legal rights and options to pursue the relationship you deserve and are entitled to without delay.
