Helotes Fathers' Rights Attorney

Compassionate Lawyer Defending Fathers' Rights in Helotes, Texas

Protecting your rights as a father is important during divorce and child custody proceedings. Faced with an intimidating, complex legal system, advocating for yourself is not an easy task. A Helotes, TX family law attorney can stand up for you in court and defend your place in your child's life, making sure that your concerns are heard.

At Brandon Wong & Associates, we are champions of fathers' rights across Central Texas. Our lead attorney, Brandon Wong, has over 15 years of legal experience, giving him keen insights into contested child custody cases. We will take steps to enforce your parental rights while protecting your child's best interests.

The Importance of Establishing Paternity

Your rights as a father may depend on a legal concept known as paternity. If your paternity has been established, you have the right to pursue shared custody or visitation of your child. Without paternity, you will not have any grounds to seek conservatorship.

In many cases, paternity is presumed at birth, requiring no additional action from the father. If you were married to the child's mother at the time of the child's birth, you are assumed to be the father. You can also voluntarily claim paternity at the time of the child's birth even if you are not married. You may be assumed to be the father if you claim to be the child's parent and live with them for at least two years after birth.

A father can also legally declare himself the father in a document called an acknowledgment of paternity. This document is only valid if both parents sign. Alternatively, you can seek a court order to establish paternity through genetic testing.

Do Fathers Have Equal Rights in Texas Custody Disputes?

As a father, you may worry that the child will be given preference in custody actions. However, this is not the case. Under state law, the courts will allocate child custody according to the best interests of the child. The judge will base their decision on multiple factors, including, but not limited to:

• The child's physical and emotional needs
• The fitness of each parent
• The child's wishes, given their age and maturity
• The stability that each parent can provide at home

In most cases, the courts will assume that it is in the child's best interests for both parents to share custody. However, if the child is put at risk with one parent, or if the parents cannot work together productively, sole custody may be the better option.

How Can I Enforce a Child Custody Order as a Father?

A court order of child custody is legally binding. This means that if your ex refuses to follow the agreement for shared custody or visitation, you can take legal action to enforce it.

Minor violations of the custody agreement may be able to be resolved outside of court through mediation or informal negotiation. However, if your ex repeatedly and willfully violates a custody order by denying you valuable time with your children, you may have to petition the court for a remedy.

To request an enforcement of a visitation order, you must provide proof that your ex violated the specific terms of the order. The court may grant you make-up visitation time, and your ex could be held in contempt of court, facing fines and jail time.

Meet With a Helotes, TX Fathers' Rights Lawyer

At Brandon Wong & Associates, we take issues of parental rights seriously. We stand up for fathers in contested child custody cases, providing fierce representation to advocate for appropriate conservatorship arrangements. To schedule an initial consultation today, call our offices at 210-201-3832 or contact our Helotes fathers' rights attorney.