Experienced Gatesville Fathers’ Rights Lawyer
Last updated on April 9, 2025
When a mother wrongfully refuses to recognize the biological father of her child, the biological father must act quickly. If the father’s name is not added to the birth certificate, he may lose fundamental parenting rights.
Barnhill Law Firm helps fathers who have been refused their paternal rights to gain legal recognition of their paternity and to assert their parental rights. But you must act now.
Steps To Protect Fathers’ Rights
Initially, a father’s rights can be established voluntarily. If both parents are listed on a child’s birth certificate, they are both granted parental rights. Even if the couple ends their relationship, the father still has a right to see his child (physical custody), make important legal decisions on their behalf (legal custody) and much more.
Complications can arise, however, if there are any disputes about who the father truly is. For instance, a woman may claim that a man is not the father, and he may want to establish paternity so he has the right to be involved in the child’s life. Disputes over paternity can also occur when trying to determine necessary child support payments.
Either way, one of the first steps to take is to have a paternity test carried out. Modern paternity tests use DNA and genetic information, and are correct in 99.9% of cases. This makes them highly trustworthy – far more reliable than older testing methods. Courts will often rely on DNA evidence if a paternity dispute arises and may need to make a ruling regarding paternity or when assigning parental custody rights.
Common Challenges Fathers Face
One important thing to note is the validity of the test itself. Generally, paternity tests must be conducted in a controlled lab environment and handled by qualified professionals. While at-home paternity tests do exist, they are typically not admissible as evidence in court. There is always a risk of contamination or inaccurate results, especially because the court cannot verify that the correct individuals took the test in the first place. It is essential to obtain a court-admissible paternity test that can withstand legal scrutiny.
Even after paternity is confirmed, fathers may still face challenges when seeking custody rights. Courts will consider factors such as:
- A stable living situation
- Evidence of drug or alcohol use
- Any allegations of abuse
- If the father has a criminal record
- The father’s income and ability to provide for the child
- The existing relationship between the father and the child
Fathers must be prepared to address these challenges. For example, if someone is falsely accused of abuse to interfere with custody rights, it is critical to know how to challenge those accusations and defend the parental rights they deserve. Having an experienced legal team can be a significant advantage when complications like these arise.
Contact Our Central Texas Law Firm
We conveniently have offices in Gatesville, Belton and Woodway and serve individuals and families throughout Central Texas. If you are a biological father and/or need to assert your paternity or paternal rights, contact us for an appointment with an experienced paternity lawyer. We will discuss your unique situation in depth, help you determine your rights, and help you pursue your rights as a father.