Are There Law Firms That Have Child Custody Lawyers for Fathers?

Are There Law Firms That Have Child Custody Lawyers for Fathers?

By: Gordon & Perlut, LLC

Fathers play a very important role in raising children and have just as much right as mothers to be a part of their lives. Unfortunately, problems in establishing paternity and child custody disputes often stand in the way.

Are you in this position and wondering if there are law firms that have child custody lawyers for fathers? At Gordon & Perlut, LLC, our Illinois child custody lawyers regularly represent clients in these cases. You can count on us to protect your rights and your relationship with your child.

The Importance of Establishing Paternity

Paternity refers to legally establishing yourself as your child’s father. If you are married to the mother, paternity is automatically presumed. If not, it is the first step in being included in any child custody arrangements. The Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services (HFS) advises that there are three general ways to establish paternity:

• Being listed as the child’s father on the birth certificate when they are born
• By signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP), which is then filed with HFS
• Having an Order of Paternity issued in court, which requires DNA testing (unless both parents agree)

As experienced child custody lawyers for fathers, we can review your case and advise you on the best course of action. Even if you and your child’s mother are on good terms and have an informal child custody or visitation agreement in place, it is vitally important to establish paternity.

In addition to protecting your rights as a father, establishing paternity protects your child. It designates them as your legal heir and makes them eligible for Social Security, Veterans, and health care benefits.

Including Fathers in Parenting Plans

In prior generations, courts were more inclined to favor mothers over fathers in custody proceedings. This is no longer the case. Today, the court recognizes the important role fathers play in their children’s life. Under the Illinois divorce statutes, parenting plans allocate parental responsibility, allowing both parties to play an active and engaged role in the child’s life.

If you were married to and divorcing the mother of your child, child custody arrangements will be dealt with as part of these proceedings. If you are unmarried and have established paternity, our child custody lawyers for fathers can guide you in requesting a detailed custody order and parenting plan, now known as an Allocation of Parental Responsibilities. Important issues addressed include:

• The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home during the week
• The right to mid-week visits and overnight stays on the weekends
• Extended visits during school breaks, vacations, and holidays
• The right to attend academic, sports, or recreational events involving your chil
• Legal custody is the right to make important decisions impacting your children, such as regarding their education, religious upbringing, and medical car

Contact Our Illinois Child Custody Lawyers For Fathers Today

At Gordon & Perlut, LLC., our experienced Illinois child custody lawyers will fight to protect your rights as a father and your relationship with your child. To find out how we can help in your unique case, call and request a free, confidential consultation today.