Pleasanton Fathers' Rights Lawyers

Experienced Family Law Attorneys for Fathers' Rights in Pleasanton, Texas

Historically, many fathers have felt disadvantaged when it comes to divorce and child custody disputes in Texas. Though the stereotype of mothers being more suitable caregivers may still linger, the Lone Star State dictates that mothers and fathers share equal parenting rights. Without well-qualified legal representation, fathers may still face residual stigma that could affect the outcome of family law cases.

At Brandon Wong & Associates, we understand the challenges that fathers face in family law and child custody disputes, and we are committed to helping you fight to protect your relationship with your children. With over 15 years of legal experience and more than 200 five-star reviews, we can provide compassionate and trusted guidance to fathers in Pleasanton.

How to Establish Paternity in Texas

With legal paternity, you can protect your relationship with your child and ensure that you will have the ability to build a stable schedule, access school information, and participate in medical decisions. Typically, the law assumes that you are the legal parent of your child if you were married to the mother within 300 days of the child's birth. If you were not married to the mother within this window, you may not be recognized as your child's parent, even if you lived in the same home and have been involved in raising them.

At Brandon Wong & Associates, we recognize that unmarried fathers can still be devoted and involved parents. Our Pleasanton fathers' rights lawyers are ready to help unmarried dads take the proper legal steps to establish legal relationships with their children and ensure that they can protect their custody or visitation rights.

Paternity may be established if both parents are willing to sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity. If an agreement is not possible, or if there is a dispute about whether you are a child's biological father, a petition to establish paternity may be filed in court, and a judge may order genetic testing. We can help you determine whether paternity can be established through an agreement or a court order, and we will work with you to address issues related to child custody and child support once paternity is established.

Defending Fathers' Rights in Pleasanton Child Custody Disputes

When Texas courts make decisions about child custody, the primary factor considered is the child's best interests. In some cases, fathers may worry that they will not be treated fairly as these issues are addressed. However, courts will typically look at issues such as:

• The kind and quality of home stability that each parent can provide
• The child's physical and emotional needs
• The physical and financial capabilities of each parent

The court may also consider whether the child is old or mature enough to provide input on decisions. More often than not, the court will assume that it is best for the child if both parents are involved in the child's life. If you have been actively involved in raising your child, you should be able to continue serving in this role, regardless of your relationship with the other parent. In some cases, sole custody may be awarded to one parent if parents cannot work together productively or if the child's safety or well-being may be at risk.

If your ex refuses to abide by court-established custody or visitation orders, you can take legal action. While minor disagreements may be handled through mediation or by negotiating agreements outside of court, you can ask the court to take action if your ex repeatedly and willfully interferes with your ability to have a relationship with your child. In these situations, a variety of visitation enforcement options may be available. Our attorneys can help you show that your ex violated the terms of your agreement, and we can seek remedies such as having your ex held in contempt of court or making up lost visitation time.

Modification requests can also be made if necessary. You may petition to modify your existing child custody agreement if your circumstances have changed significantly due to issues such as a parent's relocation, evidence that the current plan no longer serves the child's best interests, or a shift in the child's educational or medical needs. In these cases, the court will look at whether the proposed modifications would be in the child's best interests.

To request a modification, you may file a petition in court. You may provide documentation supporting your arguments, such as evidence showing that changes in living circumstances have affected your child's home stability or school reports or medical records showing that there have been changes in your child's needs. Our lawyers can help you take the correct steps when requesting modifications, and we can gather evidence and present arguments on your behalf, working to ensure that your child's ongoing needs will be met.

Contact Our Pleasanton, TX Fathers' Rights Attorneys

Brandon Wong & Associates is a proud supporter of fathers' rights. We can help you resolve issues related to child custody, paternity, or other related concerns while helping you protect your relationship with your children. Contact our Pleasanton fathers' rights lawyers at 210-201-3832 to schedule an initial consultation.