When a baby is born, there is almost never a debate about who that child’s mother is. However, it can be more difficult to determine who that child’s biological father is. When a couple is married, the woman’s husband is presumed to be the baby’s father, but in some cases DNA testing is necessary to determine paternity. Establishing paternity is important because it gives fathers rights to see and know their children. Before paternity is established, the mother may have control over child custody issues.
When parents are no longer a couple, or when married parents decide to divorce, there is often a battle over who should be the children’s primary caregiver. In these situations, fathers may feel like they have fewer rights or that the law favors giving custody to woman. While this used to be true, laws in Georgia and around the country have changed in recent years.
Most experts agree that fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. Therefore, laws have shifted from being woman-focused to focusing on the best interest of the child. Under these current laws, fathers are given equal rights to the children and courts understand that it is important for both parents to have a relationship with a child.
Experts stress, however, that it is up to men to understand and enforce these rights. They say that often times, men feel like since the system is set up against them that they shouldn’t even try to enforce their rights. According to these experts, that can be a mistake that can end up costing men time with their children.
Georgia men should understand that it is important for them to fight for their rights when it comes to their children. The family law courts are available to help these people with child custody, child support and other family law issues.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Divorce For Men: Do Current Laws Favor Women?,” Aug. 9, 2013
