Nowadays, many unmarried couples have children. For some, these circumstances never become an issue. On the other hand, some unmarried couples that choose to have children experience complex situations and various difficulties further down the unmarried road.
Below are issues that can arise for unmarried couples, who share children, after separation:
1. Enforcing Child Custody and Visitation
Numerous unmarried couples have trouble establishing child support requests and visitation arrangements after a separation occurs. In many states, mothers are awarded sole physical custody. Fathers can obtain custody if they can prove the mother is unfit to care for the child(ren) or the mother has any type of criminal record.
Unmarried couples are able to determine custody arrangements and visitation schedules, however, these types of arrangements can be complicated since there are no marriage legalities involved. In most cases, the court will decide which parent is most fit to care for the child(ren) according to the best interests of the child(ren).
2. Child Support
Child custody and child support are two different legal concepts. For unmarried couples, one partner may be ordered to pay child support even if custody arrangements are not in place. This means that a parent is not automatically granted visitation or custody rights simply because they pay child support to the other parent.
Retaining the Legal Representation You Need to Safeguard Your Rights
If you and a partner are separating, and share children, it is important to retain experienced legal advocacy if you wish to obtain visitation rights or request custody. A skilled family lawyer can examine all the elements involved with your case and help formulate an effective plan to protect your rights as a parent. At The Law Office of Janet McCullar, P.C., our Austin family law attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients achieve the most positive results based on their specific circumstances. Our team understands family-related issues can be emotionally draining. That is why when you choose to work with our team, we will handle the complicated parts of the process so you can focus on the emotional recovery.
Contact our Austin family lawyers immediately, and let us put our experience on your side! We are ready to protect you and your family.