When an unmarried couple has a child, Georgia law assigns all custody and visitation rights to the child's mother. If you are a father, your child's mother may deny you visitation until you get a court order granting you paternal rights — even if you are paying child support.
At Claridge Law Firm, we have more than 20 years of combined experience protecting the custody rights of unmarried fathers. We can help you petition a court for legitimation and establish yourself as your child's legal father.
Legitimation In Georgia
Legitimation establishes a legal bond between you and your child. This allows you to petition a court for child custody or visitation and puts you on equal legal footing with the child's mother. Once legitimation is established, either parent may seek child custody or visitation.
Legitimation also establishes benefits for your child, allowing him or her to:
- Inherit money from you
- Have access to your medical records in the event of an emergency
- Be placed in a paternal relative's home if his or her mother is found unfit for custody
Contact Our Augusta Child Legitimation Attorneys
Unmarried parents can establish legitimation at the time of a child's birth, using the same document used to establish paternity. If this does not occur, a father can also seek a court order for legitimation. We can help you through these proceedings and protect your rights.
Please contact our office in Augusta, Georgia, at 706-860-4500 to arrange a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable fathers' rights lawyers.
