In today’s society, it is becoming more and more common for people to become parents outside of marriage. The moment their child is born, they automatically have parental rights and responsibilities. As long as both parents live together and maintain their dating relationship, child custody and visitation are not typically issues. However, when unmarried parents separate, it often becomes necessary to establish court orders for child custody, visitation and child support.
At The Carroll Law Firm we handle matters of child custody for unmarried parents. Since 1997, Dallas-Fort Worth child custody lawyer Nicole Carroll has helped our clients with these, which are legally referred to as Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) in the state of Texas.
Do you have questions about child custody for unmarried parents (SAPCR)? Schedule your free initial consultation to learn more. Call our firm at 214-800-2812 or 817-706-7322. You may also contact the Carroll Law Firm online and someone from our firm will be in touch with you promptly.
In cases involving child custody for unmarried parents, we believe it is important to determine what your role will be in raising your child. How involved do you want to be? Are you seeking shared custody or simply visitation? Attorney Nicole Carroll will take the time necessary to explain your parental rights, truly understand your parenting goals and work with you to develop a strategy for meeting them.
Establishing a Conservatorship
Generally in cases of child custody for unmarried parents (SAPCR), one of the child’s parents seeks to establish a conservatorship. The parent with the conservatorship determines the primary residence of the child and is the primary decision maker when it comes to matters such as medical care, education and religion.
We work with parents who wish to assert their parental rights by establishing a conservatorship, a child custody and visitation schedule, and child support. We recognize you want the best for your child. We strongly support you as you work to have orders put in place to secure your family relationships.
On the other hand, we understand that sometimes paternity may be in question or one parent does not want to be an active part of his or her child’s life. In these cases, we can either assist with paternity testing or, when appropriate, the termination of parental rights. However, it is important to remember that a biological father that chooses not to partake in his child’s life may still be responsible for child support payments.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Child Custody Attorney
Child custody for unmarried parents can easily become a complex and contentious issue, especially when emotions come into play. Be certain you have the legal and personal support you need. Contact the Carroll Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.