Biological fathers have rights, even if they never married the child’s mother. However, parental rights often come into question in matters of child custody, visitation, and adoption. For Texas courts, the biological connection is enough to allow a father to form a relationship with his children.
Defining Fatherhood in Texas
There’s no firm definition for the term “father.” In Texas, different terms are used to explain the relationship between a child and an unmarried man. A Paternity Attorney in Keller, TX can provide further information. Visit us today.
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A putative father is a man alleged to be a biological father but paternity has not been legally established.
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An alleged father is a man who claims to be a biological father but paternity hasn’t been determined.
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An acknowledged father has established a relationship with a child by signing a paternity acknowledgment.
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An adjudicated father is a man who has been ruled by the family court to be a child’s father.
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A presumed father is a man who’s recognized as a father until it’s proven otherwise.
A man may be deemed a father if he lived with a child when they were a minor, or if he’s been ordered to pay child support. A paternity attorney in Keller, TX can give you additional information on these terms.
Establishment of Paternity
Though married couples can document their unions, unmarried couples have no such luxury. However, men can still prove paternity in various ways. In the state of Texas, a man can sign a registry to acknowledge fatherhood and secure rights to the child. Visit us at rickmlaw.com for more information or to schedule a consultation.
