Navigating parenthood while getting a divorce or during legal proceedings with our divorce attorney McAllen is a crucial step for many parents.
Whether you’re married or unmarried, you need a clear understanding of your parental rights. The well-being of you and your children is important, and divorce court judges believe so, too. Knowing your parental rights:
- Helps you make informed decisions.
- Changes your parental role once you are divorced.
- Empowers you and your McAllen attorney in the courtroom.
Join us as we address common concerns and provide insight into your parental rights within Texas family law.
Accept the Parental Role
In Texas, making it official that you’re a legal parent can help. You can request legal rights, even if you never married. Or, you experienced abuse or mistreatment in a past marriage. Here are a few ways this can happen:
- Both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form at the hospital.
- You can also sign the form at a Vital Statistics Unit, confirming the parents.
- Request a court order to determine the father. This involves DNA testing and is evidence to enforce parental legal rights and responsibilities.
What Happens to Parents in a Custody Hearing?
If paternity is finalized:
Co-parents can ask for custody or visitation. However, the court decides based on what’s best for the child, considering who’s more stable and the child’s relationship with each parent.
- A judge enforces how both parents contribute financially.
- The parent who doesn’t live with the child might have to pay child support, following state rules based on income.
- Legal custody is about making decisions for the child. Unmarried parents can share this responsibility, depending on what the court thinks.
Know Your Parental Rights
A court judge determines which parent is the lead, and which is the co-parent, and gives access to their child’s personal information.
- Parents can check out their child’s medical records and be part of health decisions.
- Parents can look at their child’s school records and be part of school decisions.
- Parents can know about their child’s schedule and identity information, such as social security numbers, etc.
Keeping Your Rights Safe
To make sure everyone’s on the same page, getting things in writing for court orders is smart:
- Making a plan for custody, visits, decisions, and more can avoid problems down the road.
- Speak to our McAllen attorneys about what you want most from the court hearing.
- Ask the court for orders about custody, support, or visits can make everything official and protect everyone involved.
Contact our Divorce Attorney McAllen
Ask our lawyers if mediation is the way to go. Mediation is a way for parents to agree without going to court. Talking to a family law attorney who knows Texas laws can be a game-changer. We can help you understand your rights, get through the steps, and keep things legal.
Takeaways
The legal world can be scary, but our divorce attorney McAllen helps every step of the way.
Our McAllen law firm offers easy-to-understand legal help, ensuring you know what’s happening.
We’re not just your legal team but your partners, fighting for the best outcomes for your legal needs.
Call for a Free Consultation
At Barrera Sanchez & Associates, our mission is to give legal service beyond what you expect. We’re committed to being more than just your legal team; we’re with you to get the best results for your legal matters.