Baton Rouge Fathers’ Rights Lawyer

Baton Rouge Fathers’ Rights Attorney

Many people love the atmosphere of Baton Rouge, especially those with children. Living so close to LSU has its perks, but other hotspots include the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. However, if a father wants to make sure they can spend time with their children, they might need the help of a Baton Rouge fathers’ rights lawyer.

An Experienced Fathers’ Rights Attorney in Baton Rouge, LA

It’s important to work with a Baton Rouge family law attorney who is familiar with Louisiana. At the Cascio Law Firm, we are local to Louisiana and experienced in helping families right here in Baton Rouge. Our knowledge of the local courts can enable you to establish your rights as a father.

How Do I Get Custody?

To obtain custody of your children, you need to establish paternity. This can be done in multiple ways, depending on the situation, including:

• At birth: If you are married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth, the state generally assumes that you are the father. If the parents are unmarried, they can still agree on paternity when the child is born.
• After birth: If paternity still has not been acknowledged after the child’s birth, it can be done by filing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity with the Department of Vital Records. This can only be used shortly after birth, and if both parents agree on the paternity of the child.
• Through genetic testing: A possible father can take a DNA test to prove their relationship with their child. If they do this without being required to by the court, there is usually a fee associated with it. The test results might be enough to confirm paternity and make the mother willing to recognize you as her child’s father.
• Filing a court order: If the other parent is not willing to negotiate with you, it might be necessary to file a court order to require that DNA testing be done. This is a detailed and emotionally challenging process, so it is usually recommended to try other avenues before resorting to a court order.
• Restrictions: Certain restrictions might prevent some people from challenging or establishing paternity. The state generally assumes that the mother’s spouse at the time of the child’s birth is the father, but this might only change if a potential father acts soon after the child is born.

21.3% of Baton Rouge residents are under 18. For children, it’s important that they build a connection with their father to promote their development. A Baton Rouge fathers’ rights attorney can make that happen.

Why Hire a Fathers’ Rights Lawyer?

A fathers’ rights lawyer can engage in many tasks to support your case. Paternity testing is just one of them. There are many elements of child custody, support, and visitation, all of which are complicated to deal with without the right attorney.

One of the biggest issues we see involves contested paternity. This can come from court-ordered paternity tests or someone else challenging your rights as a father. This is a serious accusation because it can affect how you spend time with your children. That’s why a lawyer with detailed knowledge of fathers’ rights laws is so important.

After establishing paternity, you can then advocate for child custody. This usually comes with child support obligations, but it is also a way to make sure you can connect with your children. Those who do not establish paternity typically have difficulty getting custody of their children.

Some paternity and fathers’ rights cases do not have to go to court, especially if all parties are working together. However, most do need some kind of court involvement. An attorney can get your case the attention it deserves so you can do what’s right for your children.

Why Choose Us?

The Cascio Law Firm is small on purpose. After our experience working at larger firms, we’ve found that we can more effectively help people one-on-one because we can provide personalized attention. Fathers’ rights cases are highly individual, and you need a lawyer who can work on your case in a way that is unique to you and your family.

FAQs

How Does a Judge Make Decisions About Whether a Father Gets Custody?

A judge makes decisions about whether a father gets custody based on what’s good for the child. This includes providing a stable environment and a solid home. The court may deny custody based on problems like criminal history, physical or mental health issues, and any other circumstances that might affect how well the children can grow and develop.

Do I Need a Paternity Attorney to Establish My Rights as a Father?

A paternity attorney can be crucial for establishing your rights as a father. This can include figuring out what type of custody your children have. If you do not have paternity over your children, an attorney can work to help you establish paternity through one or more means, like DNA tests. Once paternity is confirmed, you could then argue for child custody.

Can I Get Sole Custody as a Father in Baton Rouge?

It is possible to get sole custody as a father in Baton Rouge, but it is difficult. Generally, the court prefers to give custody to both parents as opposed to one parent. However, if there are conditions that make custody unsafe for the child, then sole custody can be considered. It is important to determine paternity before trying to get sole custody as the father.

Can a Father Establish Paternity After the Child Is Born?

A father can establish paternity after the child is born. If both parents agree, they can each sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity to make the father official. If both parents do not agree, a paternity test might have to be ordered by the court. The results of the test can dictate custody and child support decisions.

Establish Your Rights

21.7% of households in Baton Rouge are families run by men with no spouse. Establishing a father’s rights can help you form a stronger relationship with your children. For more information on how to establish paternity in your family, schedule a consultation with the Cascio Law Firm.