Only around 17% of the fathers in the United States are classified as custodial parents. When faced with the fact that your marriage is ending, you need to start getting your ducks in a row immediately. If children are involved, you need to assess how capable they are of raising your child alone. If you feel like your spouse is an unfit parent, you need to know your rights as a father.
Many men allow common misconceptions and misinformation get in the way of them pursuing custody of their child. Below are some of the myths involving a father’s rights and child custody cases in general.
Mothers are Allowed to Dictate How Fathers Spend Time With Their Child
Going through a divorce can be both very traumatic and stressful. If you have never had to go through the process before, you may be confused regarding how it works. When trying to come up with a child custody agreement, you need all of the facts to manage this responsibility. Some people think that the mother of a child is allowed to tell the father how they can spend time with their child.
In reality, once the terms of your custody agreement are ironed out, your ex-spouse will have no say so in what you do as long as you keep your child safe. If your ex-spouse has problems with who you are bringing around your child, or where they are staying while in your care, they can file for a modification of the existing custody agreement. When you receive notice of this filing, you need to contact your lawyer immediately.
Mothers Receive Favor in the Courtroom
Perhaps the most common misconception people have regarding a father’s rights is that mothers receive favor in the courtroom. By law, fathers are supposed to have the same legal rights as mothers. Often times, mothers will win in these custody battles because they have a lawyer who helps them build a case. This is why you need to avoid going into a custody battle without legal representation.
Ideally, you want to choose a lawyer who has extensive knowledge of both father’s rights and the child custody laws in your state. Going in for consultations with various lawyers in your area will help you figure out which one is the best fit for your needs.
Fathers Always Have to Pay Child Support
Another common misconception regarding a father’s rights is that they are always responsible for paying child support. The amount of child support a parent has to pay depends on a number of different factors. For instance, if a father is awarded full custody of their child, they will not have to pay child support to their spouse. Getting a fair custody agreement in place is only possible with the help of legal professionals.
Are You Preparing for a Child Custody Battle?
If you are trying to iron out the details of a child custody agreement, it is time to contact the Morris Firm today!
