Advantages To Establishing Paternity In Georgia
In this day and age of unmarried couples, more and more children are being born out of wedlock. As a result of this, more and more couples are being required to establish paternity for their children instead of it simply being assumed upon the child’s birth. While many parents might not see a reason to go through the paternity process, there are distinct benefits to a child having both legal parents. If you and your co-parent are on the fence about this, it is important to do your research on the matter.
The Right To Child Support. Perhaps the most important right conferred on the child, and it is important to note that it is conferred on the child, not the parent (in other words, the right cannot be negotiated away). Without a legal father named on the birth certificate, a child has no right to support from their father, which is decidedly not in the best interests of the child. Without it, the child may face reduced educational opportunities or have to go without benefits they might otherwise have had.
The Right To Inherit. Without a legal relationship established via birth certificate or court order, a child has no right to inherit from their father, or to receive federal benefits like Social Security or veteran’s benefits that they would otherwise be entitled to.
Access To A Full Medical History. A child may lack critical medical information if they have no legal relationship with or access to one parent’s medical records. This may sound very minor, but if one has to learn their risk for certain cancers or other diseases, it can matter quite a lot.
Rights To Make Decisions For Your Children. A father without any legal relationship to his children has no right to weigh in on their lives – has no right to have his opinion heard on where his children will live, where they go to school, what church they attend, and so on. He has no parental rights to have terminated, so there is nothing essentially to dispute in court.
Right To Seek Support. Mothers in Georgia may want their child’s father to establish a legal relationship with that child in order to ensure that they do their due diligence in helping to raise that child. While stories abound about fathers being placed in unfair positions due to support demands, in reality most parents are able to place the best interests of their children above all else.
Contact A Knowledgeable Attorney
Children deserve two parents as long as it is not against their best interests, and as can be seen, there are many benefits to establishing that legal relationship for your family. If you have more questions about paternity cases in Georgia, contacting an experienced lawyer can be a good idea. The Atlanta paternity attorneys at Buckhead Family Law are happy to guide you through the pros and cons and help you work out a plan that will be best for your family. Contact us today at 404-390-0000 to schedule an appointment.
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