Establishing Rights for Unmarried Parents
There are numerous legal issues for unmarried parents who bring a child into the world. While many dads voluntarily sign birth certificates at the hospital designating themselves as the child's father, doing so does not give the father legal rights, such as to see the child, should he and the mother break up. And the fact that the father has signed the birth certificate does not start child support for the mother. Legal proceedings are necessary to assure that the needs of the child and both parents are fully addressed.
I'm Susan Butler, a family law attorney serving clients in Peoria and Tazewell counties in Central Illinois. I have experience handling parentage cases (formerly known as paternity actions) for mothers and fathers who have children without being married.
Establishing Legal Parentage
Parentage can be established in family court fairly quickly if the two parents do not dispute the identity of the father. If there is a dispute, then paternity will be established by means of a court-ordered DNA test.
Once paternity is legally established, the parents can request relief for themselves and their child:
- Financial arrangements for the payment of child support, daycare expenses and medical expenses can be ordered.
- Both the father and the mother may seek child custody and/or visitation, and may enter into a Joint Parenting Agreement.
- The child can receive rights as the legal child of the father, including the right to inherit.
Parentage Action Consultation
To arrange a consultation with attorney Susan Butler or attorney Kelly Giraudo, call 309-938-4204 or complete the contact form on this site.
