Rights of Unmarried Co-Parents

The laws regarding child custody for unmarried couples aren’t as clear-cut as laws for married couples. One thing to take into consideration is that not all states legally recognize unmarried couples. Some do, but only if they’re classified as being in a common-law marriage. On top of all that, laws vary by state. That’s why it’s good to visit a family law firm in Atlanta Georgia to help set things straight. Lawyers can explain how the law applies to you and your spouse.

Common Laws

Whether or not you and your spouse are recognized in the eyes of the law, there are still some consistent guidelines followed by most states. Specifically, your case will be handled as if both of you were a divorced couple. Each parent is required to support their children, have visitation rights, and retains custody of the children. In terms of capital, it’s usually the parent with the higher income that pays more for the support. Though you and your spouse can determine visitation plans, a court can arrange these plans for you if there is a conflict with a non-legal parent. Even if parents receive joint custody, one may very well be chosen for making most of the important decisions in the child’s life.

Non-Legal Parental Rights

Non-biological stepparents usually have little to no rights. It depends on the state, but you can receive better clarification from a family law firm in Atlanta Georgia. The lack of rights is especially apparent if the non-legal parent didn’t adopt the child. With the help of Atlanta family lawyers, however, this could change. It’s mostly if one of the legal parents have passed away or been declared unfit to care for the child. In certain states, the non-legal parent can be chosen over the biological family if the case is strong enough.

If you’re looking for some legal advice on the issue, then look no further than Fuller Law Group. We can give you the information you need as well as have the expertise to build your case in court. It’s important to rely on Atlanta family lawyers to help you navigate through these tricky laws. One mistake could mean that you don’t see the child, you won’t receive rewards for support, and lose a lot of time and energy that an attorney could have helped you save. Whether you’re a non-legal parent trying to get visitation rights or a legal parent in need of child support, Fuller Law Group is here to answer your questions and defend your case. Contact us today for more information.