Not being married to your child’s mother does not mean you have to remain on the sidelines of your child’s life. If you are an unmarried father in Texas, establishing legal paternity can help you build a legal relationship with your child and take an active role in their upbringing.
Here is how this step affects your rights and responsibilities as a parent.
Paternity gives you a legal basis for parental rights
Establishing paternity allows you to seek custody, visitation and a role in important decisions about your child. Without legal paternity, you generally cannot exercise these rights as an unmarried father under Texas law. Once paternity is established, you can ask the court to determine your parenting rights.
However, establishing paternity does not automatically give you equal parenting time or the right to make every decision for your child. A court considers the child’s best interests when deciding custody and parenting arrangements.
Paternity establishes child support responsibilities
Legal fatherhood also creates responsibilities to support your child financially. Depending on your circumstances and any court orders, you may need to pay child support and help cover medical expenses.
Texas law treats child support and parenting time as separate matters. For example, if the other parent prevents you from seeing your child, you cannot stop paying court-ordered support as a result. You must address parenting time through the proper legal process.
Paternity can protect your child’s interests
Establishing paternity can help your child access benefits through you, as well as establish inheritance rights. Depending on your circumstances, these may include Social Security benefits, health care coverage or life insurance.
Take steps to protect your parental rights
Establishing paternity creates a legal foundation for your relationship with your child, but you may need additional steps to secure custody or visitation rights. If you have not established paternity or you disagree with the other parent about your role, consult a Texas family law attorney. They can review your circumstances, explain your options and help you properly exercise your right as the father of your child.