Gonzales Fathers Rights Lawyer

Gonzales Fathers Rights Attorney

Fathers have important parental rights and responsibilities for their children, and it is crucial that they look out for these rights during a family law case. By working with a Gonzales fathers rights lawyer, you can establish paternity and fight for custody and visitation if it is being unfairly denied. Fathers are an important part of their children’s lives, and you need to ensure you have the legal right to care for and raise your child and protect their best interests.

A Gonzales family lawyer can support you during family law disputes with your child’s other parent, whether there is a dispute over paternity, a custody disagreement, or a relocation case.

Navigating Complex Family Law Cases With Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC

The team at Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC has many years of experience in family law cases and has spent more than 15 years supporting families in our community. As a father, it can sometimes feel difficult to establish your parental rights and secure fair custody. With dedicated legal support, you can protect your family’s future. Our firm can handle complex cases and use our experience to address your unique paternity or custody case.

There are 5,565 households in the city of Gonzales, with an average of 2.25 persons per household. There are many families and households dealing with complex family cases. A family law case in Gonzales is likely to be filed with the 23rd Judicial District Court, which serves Assumption, Ascension, and St. James Parishes. The Ascension Parish Courthouse is located at 607 E. Worthey Street in Gonzales.

Establishing Paternity in Gonzales

Before a divorce or when parents are not married, it is important for a father to establish paternity. Otherwise, the only parent with legal parental rights for the child is the mother. A little over 20% of the population in Gonzales is children under the age of 18 as of 2024, and 5% are under the age of five. It’s important for children to have the support and guidance of both parents whenever possible.

When parents are unmarried, they can voluntarily establish paternity through an acknowledgment affidavit. If unmarried parents do not agree on their child’s paternity or are uncertain, paternity can be established through the courts. Married parents are presumed to be the biological and legal parents of a child unless certain actions are taken. Legally identifying the father is a prerequisite for obtaining a child support order.

Without establishing paternity, an unmarried father cannot assert parental rights or responsibilities. Sometimes, adoptions can raise legal questions when a biological father hasn’t given up his rights.

What Are Parental Rights and Their Benefits?

When a father has parental rights, this provides several abilities and obligations, including:

• The ability to pursue custody and visitation rights, including the right to make important choices for their child
• The right to request child support
• The responsibility to provide child support

Fathers can see several benefits in establishing parental rights. A child also sees several benefits, including:

• A sense of belonging
• Financial support from both of their parents
• Access to medical history for both sides of their family
• The ability to inherit from both of their parents
• Improved social and personal development

When both parents have parental rights, state law does not give preference to either parent based on gender. Instead, custody determinations and other issues are determined based on the child’s best interests and the specifics of a family’s situation.

Child Custody Cases With Established Parental Rights

Establishing parental rights is important for a father to have the right to request custody, but it does not always mean that request will be granted. Every custody case is considered on its own merits, and the children’s best interests are the priority. The court tends to prefer that both parents have significant and meaningful time with their children, but this preference is not absolute.

If you believe the child’s other parent is a danger to them or otherwise unfit to provide for them, it is important to work with an attorney to present that evidence to the court. You have the legal right to request full custody if that is necessary to protect the child’s interests. An attorney can help you navigate your unique case and advocate for your child’s future.

FAQs About Gonzales,LA Fathers’ Rights Law

What Are My Rights as a Father in Louisiana?

Fathers in Louisiana with established paternity have the right to make important decisions for, have a meaningful relationship with, and seek custody of their child. A father may either pay or receive child support.

Both legal and biological parents have the same rights and responsibilities for their children, including deciding their education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, as well as the possibilities for their financial support. Custody decisions are made based on the child’s interests.

What Makes a Father Unfit for Custody in Louisiana?

A father may be considered unfit for custody in Louisiana if they cannot provide for their child’s basic needs. The court may determine a parent unfit if there is evidence that the parent committed family violence or sexual abuse, or allowed abuse by another party to occur. Severe or repeated child neglect could also be grounds for determining whether a parent is unfit. Substance abuse or mental health issues may also be grounds if they impact the child’s welfare. Louisiana courts use the “best interest of the child“standard to determine custody

How Long Does a Father Have to Be Absent to Lose Rights in Louisiana?

Louisiana family courts may involuntarily remove the rights of a parent for several reasons, including abandonment, severe neglect, or negligent behavior that is life-threatening to the child.  If a parent demonstrates that they intend to permanently avoid their parental responsibilities by being absent with no contributions to the child’s care, then their parental rights may be removed.

What Am I Entitled to as a Father?

As a father, you are entitled to request visitation and custody of your child and are entitled to collect or provide child support. You are entitled to make decisions for your child and have an active role in their lives. These rights only exist if you establish paternity and have parental rights. While both parents have equal entitlement to these rights, the court may deny requests for custody or support depending on the child’s interests and the family’s financial situation.

Talk With Diligent Fathers’ Rights Attorneys at Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC

Every child should have the support of parents who can care for them and provide for their needs. At Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC, we want to help fathers ensure their rights are respected and a child’s interests are the primary focus. Contact our team today.