Spring Valley, Texas Fathers Rights Attorney

When it comes to family law matters such as child custody battles, divorce, and support agreements, fathers have the same rights as mothers. However, bias still exists, and unfortunately, men often have to fight harder to achieve a fair outcome.

The best way to protect your rights is to secure legal representation from an experienced Texas father’s rights attorney in the Spring Valley area.

Family law attorneys should prioritize mediation where possible, minimizing court involvement, and saving time and money. However, they should also be prepared to take your case to court if that is necessary to protect your father-child relationship.

When it comes to legal services involving family law, it is important that you have representation from a dedicated attorney. The decisions that are made could impact you and your children for the rest of your lives, so it is essential that your rights are protected.

Speak to an Experienced Spring Valley, Texas Father’s Rights Attorney Today

Skillern Firm is dedicated to family law in Texas. We help clients navigate family matters such as the divorce process, issues surrounding parental alienation, and child custody every day and have an in-depth understanding of the laws regarding your case.

Our father’s rights lawyers are skilled mediators but are equally prepared to fight for you in court if necessary. We take the time to understand each individual case so that we can provide comprehensive support.

When you hire a Texas father’s rights attorney, you will be protected by the attorney-client relationship. That means that you can speak openly with us without the fear of judgment. At Skillern Firm, we will strive to secure the best possible outcome for you and your children.

Speak to one of our father’s rights attorneys today at 936-213-8479.

Father’s Rights and Responsibilities in Texas

Under Texas law, fathers have important rights and responsibilities in regard to their children. The only circumstances where this is not the case is where a Judge rules to remove a father’s rights due to concern over a child’s welfare. Unless there is a clear reason why it is in the child’s best interest for them not to have regular access to their father, the Judge will usually try to keep both parents involved in their child’s life.

Parental Responsibilities

Parents also have responsibilities toward their children, including the responsibility to contribute to their child’s life both financially and emotionally. This means that both parents are expected to care for their child, and one parent will often need to pay child support to the other. Usually, the highest-earner pays child support to the other unless the child spends the majority of their time with the parent who earns the most.

When it comes to child support, fathers are often presumed to be the ones to pay, but this is not always the case. A Texas father’s rights attorney will fight to ensure that child support payments are fair and reflective of your situation.

Who Has Father’s Rights in Spring Valley, TX?

In Texas, only legal fathers have fathers’ rights. You are legally your child’s father if your name is on the birth certificate. If you were married to your child’s mother when they were born, then your are presumed the father of that child.

If you were not married to your child’s mother when they were born, then you will need to establish paternity before you can assert your parental rights. This can be done voluntarily if both parents agree by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity. The acknowledgment is often signed at the hospital after the birth of the child but can also be completed later.

If the involved parties do not agree on who the legal father is, then it may be necessary to seek a DNA test. An attorney can help you navigate paternity and gain parental rights to your child.

Non-Biological Fathers and Parental Rights

Just because someone is not biologically related to their child does not mean that they are not deserving of fathers’ rights. If you have provided care and support to your child since their birth or for many years, then you may be able to formally adopt your child.

Once you have adopted your child, you will gain the same rights as any other father. However, the adoption process can be very challenging and emotional, and you may benefit from the support and guidance of a family law attorney from Skillern Firm.

Family Law Services Provided By Skillern Firm

At Skillern Firm, we help guide clients through a broad range of family law matters, including those involving divorce, child custody, and post-divorce issues.

Our goal is for you to be able to transition into the next period of your life in the best way possible while ensuring that your child’s needs have been prioritized.

Some examples of legal issues involving fathers’ rights include:

Spousal Support

Spousal support payments are financial support one spouse gives another after divorce. They are only awarded if one spouse requires support to maintain a standard of living after divorce as laid out by the factors of the law. A Texas father’s rights attorney will fight to ensure that the ruling on spousal support payments is fair and that your rights are protected.

Property Division

Texas is an equitable distribution state which means that upon divorce or legal separation, any property acquired during the course of a marriage must be split in a ‘just and fair manner”. That doesn’t mean a 50/50 split, so you may benefit from a skilled property division attorney to help protect the assets that are important to you.

Child Support

Usually, children will live with one parent for the majority of the time while the other is granted visitation rights. Usually, the parent with visitation rights will pay the child support to the other, as they will spend the least time with the child. Whether you are facing legal action over an unpaid amount, need to make changes to an existing arrangement, or are fighting to ensure a fair arrangement, we can help.

Child Custody

Your child custody attorney will help you fight for a fair child custody arrangement that is in your child’s best interests and protects your rights to your child.

Divorce Decree Modification

If you have a court order, including those set out in a divorce decree, then it is important that you follow them. However, if they become unmanageable, then a father’s rights attorney can help you file for a modification. You will need to evidence a substantial change in circumstances, such as losing your job or illness in order to be successful.

It is important that you take steps to secure a modification and do not simply stop abiding by your order. If you do, you could be guilty of contempt. It is also important to be aware that support payments never disappear so you could end up indebted to your ex-spouse if you miss payments.

Contempt Proceedings

If your spouse is not adhering to the terms of a divorce decree, such as denying visitation, then your attorney can help you file contempt proceedings.

Parental Alienation

Parental alienation is where one parent intentionally and unjustifiably displays negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose is to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent and turn the child against them. This is wrong, and the courts will not look favorably on any parent that looks to alienate the other. If you are a victim of parental alienation, then your attorney can help you to evidence your experience and protect your rights.

Domestic Violence

Men and women can both be victims of domestic violence, and if you have suffered domestic violence at the hands of your spouse, then an attorney can help ensure that the court understands the extent of your experiences. We can help you file an emergency protective order to protect you and your children while a final decision is made.

We also help men facing false abuse allegations. False allegations of abuse are traumatic and can seriously hinder someone’s mental health and could limit their access to their children. We will fight to ensure that the truth is revealed and that your father’s rights are protected.

Speak to One of Our Texas Father’s Rights Attorney Today

Under Texas Law, the father has equal rights to the child(ren) in all family law matters. At Skillern Firm, we will ensure that your rights are protected and will fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome in your case.

Our Texas father’s rights attorneys are prepared to provide legal advice, mediation services, and support and guidance when you need it.

Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation with a Spring Valley father’s rights lawyer at 936-213-8479.