Historically, the court system has favored the mother’s rights as a caregiver for a child. However, the importance of the father’s role is becoming more widely recognized in Illinois and across the country. Children benefit from time spent with both parents. Like a child’s mother, the father is essential to the growth, development, and well-being of the child.

If you are in a custody dispute, do not let your rights be taken away from you. Call a Frankfort father’s rights lawyer today. Your rights as a father are important and you need a lawyer who knows the laws in Frankfort to fight by your side. Our practiced child custody attorneys are skilled advocates who are dedicated to preserving your relationship with your child.

Protect Your Rights as a Father

Today, fathers have become much more active in their children’s lives. It is no longer just the mothers who are left raising the children. Increasingly, there are more stay-at-home dads today than ever who have taken on the role of primary caregiver to the children.

As parents of today are challenging traditional gender roles, it is important that these changes are reflected in the legal system. When you find yourself involved in a custody battle it is crucial for you to have your voice heard to be able to protect your relationship with your children.

As the father, you have a right to be an equal participant in your child’s upbringing. You have a right to be involved in the decisions made regarding the child’s health, education, religion, extracurricular activities, and other important decisions. However, to assert these rights as a father in Frankfort, you must either petition the court or have an experienced attorney assert them for you.

Custody and Visitation in Frankfort

Illinois does not automatically presume that one parent is a better fit to raise the child than the other. Instead, the court decides child custody by determining what is in the best interest of the child. Many times, in the absence of extenuating circumstances, the court will decide that spending time with both parents is in the best interest of the child.

The language surrounding child custody laws recently changed in January 2016. Child custody is now referred to as “parental responsibility” and visitation is now referred to as “parenting time”. This change has been made to acknowledge that a parent is not visiting their child, but rather is spending time with them and fostering the parent-child relationship.

Unmarried Parents

If you and the child’s mother were never married, legal paternity must be established before the custody proceedings begin. Unfortunately, until paternity is established, you have no right to custody and the child has no right to child support. If you need assistance navigating the issues surrounding your rights as a father you should contact a lawyer in Frankfort who can explain the necessary steps you must take to make sure you do not lose any more time with your child.

Contact a Frankfort Attorney About Your Rights As a Father

If you have found yourself in the middle of a child custody dispute in Frankfort, do not hesitate to call the father’s rights attorneys at Reidy Law Office LLC. Do not let the most precious and fragile years of your child’s life slip away. Click here to contact us and learn more about how we can help you assert your rights as a father.