Parental Custody For Unmarried Parents
If you are and unmarried parent, and are seeking parental custody of your child or children
, you will need to follow the same basic procedures used in divorce and separation cases. The biggest difference in filing for parental custody for unmarried parents is that you will not need to work on divorce proceedings at the same time.
Before proceeding with a child custody case, you should determine what your current status is. Different situations require different methods. If you have been living with, but are not married to, your child's other parent; your case will proceed like a "regular" child custody dispute in most cases. You just won't need to deal with the added legal details of divorce and separation.
If you have been absent from your child's life for a long time, the procedure is a little different. If you are a father seeking visitation or parental custody after a long absence, you may need to establish paternity before proceeding. A mother who has been absent will not need to prove maternity--there is usually little doubt as to who the mother of a child is. In either case, you may want to meet with an attorney to discuss your specific case before proceeding.
Determine what type of custody you are seeking. Do you want to have legal rights and responsibilities to your child? If so, you need to ask for either sole or joint legal custody. If you want your child to live with you either full or part time, you will need to seek either sole or joint legal custody. If you simply want to visit with your child, and to provide financial support, that can be worked out by the court as well. If you know in detail what type of arrangement you are seeking, you will be more likely to get the agreement you want.
Try to work out an agreement with your child's other parent prior to heading to family court. The best custody arrangements are those that you agree on together. You will both be more likely to stick to an arrangement that you have willingly agreed on. Even if your child's other parent refuses to work with you, you should make the effort. You should also be sure to attend any court ordered mediation session. Failure to attend will work against you in court.
If you are unable to reach an agreement, take some time to write up a proposed arrangement. Taking the time to work up a formal proposal will increase your chances of getting the parental custody agreement you want. You don't have to invent a schedule on your own; you can use a specially designed computer program to create your plan.
Regardless of whether you have been able to come to an agreement with your child's other parent, you will need to attend a court hearing. A child custody hearing can range from simple (an approval of the parental custody agreement you have worked out with your child's other parent) to complex (a full blown court battle). If you suspect a battle is brewing, the very best thing you can do is hire an attorney to represent you in court.
by: Hera Nelsun
Aging Parents, Plan Now To Head Off Problems Later Three Powerful Parenting Questions How Single Parents Can Ease Financial Strain And Emergencies Parenting Tips To Raising Well-behaved Children Help your parent to cope after loss of spouse Parents Autistic Child - How To Work With Your Autistic Child For Social Settings How To Find Family History And Create A Family Tree Are You A Discipline Wimp? Top Ways Parents Can Reason With Their Toddler A Self Help Guide For Parents Coping With Stress Kidkraft Play Kitchen Enhances Cognitive Development Proper Parenting And Becoming A Good Role Model To Your Children It Is Imperative That Parents Engage In Play With Their Children