Father’s Rights Groups
If fathers were treated equally in custody hearings, father’s rights groups wouldn’t have a purpose and most certainly wouldn’t even exist.
Family law has typically been biased regarding gender stereotypes and has led to fathers not being able to receive the rights that they are entitled to.
However, fathers are widely being recognized and empowered to stand up for the rights they are entitled to regarding their children through a fathers’ rights movement.
A biological parent, both the mother and the father, plays a key role in the development and overall well being of their child.
If a father’s rights are violated, it may hinder the overall functioning of the family unit and to the happiness of the child.
The importance of a father is widely documented with supporting data and Father’s Rights Groups aim to restore the social ideals in order to strengthen the rights of a father.
Father’s Rights support groups include both men and women. Whether it is a father who wants to share custody with the mother or the second wife of a divorced father, fathers have rights that are able to be fought for.
Although it offers more than just fathers’ rights, surround yourself with other dads by joining our free Dads Facebook group.
Fathers Rights – Why It Started
The need for a movement for father’s rights has been on the rise since 1960 when child custody battles emerged. Many parents have begun to examine fathers’ rights given the high rate of divorce and unwed parents.
Due to a lack of knowing what rights they are entitled to, fathers have suffered injustices that have ultimately affected countless children. Outdated biases and imbalances have further diminished a father’s influence, presence, and essential role in the development of his children’s lives.
Even to this day, fathers are losing their rights and contact with their children, which is why we have put together a guide for Father’s Rights Groups to educate the public about the resources available and some of the processes that can be expected when fighting for a father’s rights.
Rights That a Father is Entitled To
Fathers are entitled to the same rights that mothers are, though some need a father’s rights help program to achieve this.
The notion that mothers always receive the “better end” of child custody arrangements has been challenged by gender-neutral family courts who rule to make decisions for the best interests of the child involved.
Many fathers want to be involved in their children’s lives and there are many resources available for fathers now that can help with finding legal representation, education on the rights that a father has, and create action plans for the legal system. There are even organizations to combat discrimination against fathers and advocate for fathers’ rights.
A biological father’s rights and the framework of the proceeding does vary state by state.
Each state has its own legal forms and requirements, so it’s important to look at the state’s guidelines that would be applicable to you.
This is a contributing factor to fathers not always knowing what rights they have, as it does vary by state. Information can now be accessed online or through the help of a father’s rights group.
Divorced Father’s Rights
In the United States, an average of 40-50% of marriages will end in divorce.
Divorce can be a difficult and painful process, especially if there are children involved. If there are conflicts it can have the added challenges on all parties included and may leave some divorced father’s looking into what rights they have regarding their biological children.
As divorce rates have soared, so has the need for groups to support father’s rights.
As previously mentioned, courts rule being gender-neutral and will take the best interest of the child into account when making court orders for child custody or visitation.
If you can prove that you have been the child’s primary caregiver or that the other biological parent is unfit to raise a child, you may be able to receive full custody of the child.
This would typically be granted in scenarios of substance abuse, domestic violence, or child abuse.
Outside of full custody, with proof the father is involved, these custody cases can often lead to shared parenting. Talk with a fathers’ rights advocate to learn how to protect yourself from false allegations.
Unmarried Fathers Rights
If you are a father than is unwed and looking to regain and retain your rights, the first step is to establish paternity.
Biological parents have the right to seek visitation and even child custody.
This means that legally, you must establish paternity first. This can be done by both parents signing and acknowledging the appropriate documents, typically at the time of birth.
If paternity is being disputed, a legal process that includes DNA testing can conclude if you are the biological father.
Once paternity is established, you can continue to file for child custody or visitation rights and draft a parenting agreement.
If both biological parents agree to the parenting plan, they can petition for a court order to enforce the agreement made.
However, if either biological parent disputes the parenting agreement, the court will decide on custody and visitation in the best interests of the child by viewing each individual scenario.
Generally speaking, unwed fathers rarely win sole custody of the child. This is stemmed off of the idea that it’s within the child’s best interest to have both parents present in the child’s life and both can contribute to the overall wellbeing of the child.
Fathers are recognized to have a right to visitation or shared custody and can still have a consistent relationship with their child during their upbringing.
Violation Of Father’s Rights
Fathers legally have rights and there are instances where these rights may be violated. If a violation occurs, it’s important to know which actions to take in order to handle these offenses.
If the father has custody of the son or daughter and they are taken by a family member, the father can call law enforcement.
Fathers have a right to issue a charge of kidnapping against a mother, grandparent, or relative if they take the child. If the mother has little or no visitation rights, a restraining order may be issued in order to prevent any further violations of the court order.
If joint custody has been issued, a violation of fathers’ rights can include when a mother or another relative makes decisions regarding the child without the father’s input, agreement, or consent.
A father has the right to seek an alteration of the parenting agreement and may lead to penalties for the party that made the offense.
Single Father’s Help
Fathers who have been divorced, unwed, or separated from the child may face challenges that they were not expecting.
Single fathers have resources available for them to utilize to help overcome the challenges they are facing. If you are a single father, check out our blog Single Father’s Help!
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