Father's Rights: What You Should Know About Child Custody
Here is a not-so-secret secret about father's rights and child custody in California: fathers do have equal rights without regard to if you were married to your child's mother. Many fathers just don't know that they have parental rights, which they can establish and enforce through the courts. However, there tends to be a lot of misinformation floating around. This article will help you if you choose to take the correct legal actions.
In California, there is no legal bias working against fathers. This myth exists because, in the distant past, there was a time when mothers did have the advantage. However, today, the law does not support this bias, and the Law Offices of Elena Mebtahi does have the results, working on behalf of fathers, to prove it. The only thing you need to focus on is the evidence and the fact-based arguments for joint or full custody.
Important Child Custody Facts
1. Parenting Time
Equal parenting time is a matter of schedule and what is in the best interest of the child. With younger children, this may mean one parent is the primary caregiver in a joint custody arrangement. Regardless, it is based on the needs of the child, work schedules, and other issues. However, there is often no reason why time with older children, especially teenagers, cannot be split 50/50.
2. Parenting Decisions
When there is a joint custody order, regardless of time split, each parent has an equal say in decisions about the child. This includes issues such as health, education, religion, and safety. As the father, you do have an equal voice, except in extreme cases. California does not give mothers any special rights or privileges.
3. Modifications of Custody
There are times when a custody issue has been settled, but there is a need to revisit them. For instance, if the mother has made false allegations of neglect or abuse, it is important not to give up. Parental alienation and false allegations are dangerous and never in the best interest of children. Child conditioning, when one parent makes fraudulent claims against or consistently disparages the other, is emotional abuse that can harm the child.
What haven't we covered yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk about what you should know about child custody, or need more information, please contact us.