Increasingly, Nevada residents are deciding not to marry. However, this doesn’t mean they’re choosing to not have children. When unmarried couples have children, it opens questions of custody, support, paternity, and more. Here, parents will get the information they need to remain an active part of their children’s lives.
Acknowledgement of Paternity
The first obstacle one may face in obtaining custody is proving paternity. With a married couple, it’s presumed the husband is the biological father. With unmarried couples, the process is a bit more complex. Parents may sign an acknowledgement of paternity, which is forwarded to the Office of Vital Records and used to create a birth certificate. However, if a mother wants to prevent a father from having access to the child or acknowledging paternity, the father may bring a suit to require a DNA test. Paternity grants the right to petition the court for custody, and it affects child support.
Questions of Custody
Once paternity is established, child custody laws Summerlin NV require that custody determinations be made in the child’s best interests. It is typically held that the child should have a relationship with both parents unless either is unfit. There’s a lengthy list of criteria the courts consider when determining the child’s best interests, including the child’s preferences (if above a certain age), the child’s relationships with both parents, the likelihood of relocation, both parents’ mental states, and any history of violent behavior. child custody laws Summerlin NV usually grant joint custody, especially when parents can form parenting plans.
Hire a Knowledgeable Family Attorney for Help and Advice
Paternity actions often become contentious and highly personal, and resulting custody battles are complex even when the couple is married. Regardless of the parents’ marital states, having a skilled, knowledgeable family lawyer will minimize the confusion and delays that may result when the case’s stakes are so high. The lawyers at Pintar Albiston LLP know these cases, and they are glad to sit down with parents who need a way to move forward. Visit the website for more details or call today to set up a preliminary appointment with a child custody attorney. You can also follow them on Twitter.
