| Before deciding whether or not to file a paternity | | | | parenting rights that you have. He will be entitled to |
| lawsuit, single mothers should first be aware of the | | | | have equal physical possession, control and access to |
| impact this might have on child support, custody and | | | | your child. He will have the right to voice his opinion |
| visitation rights. As a single mother you are entitled to | | | | when making major decisions regarding the child's |
| make any and all decisions regarding your child's health, | | | | health, religion, education and safety. He will be allowed |
| education and upbringing. For some women this can be | | | | to oppose, object or condition your preferences |
| an overwhelming task. For many others it is a blessing. | | | | regarding any of these matters. The only way you |
| Where are you in this? | | | | can prevent this is to go to court to request exclusive |
| Before you take a stand regarding this paternal-child | | | | custody of your child. If the father opposes, you will |
| relationship issue, you should know that once a man is | | | | have to fight your case in court. Child custody cases |
| legally determined to be the father of your child, he | | | | can be expensive and stressful. Depending on your |
| must pay child support for that child. Also, he will be | | | | child's age, these court battles can also have an |
| entitled to custody and visitation rights. How exactly will | | | | emotional impact on your child. |
| this affect you? | | | | All child custody cases are considered upon the |
| Having your child's father paternity voluntarily | | | | premise that the father and the mother should have |
| acknowledged or court ordered will affect the way | | | | equal parenting rights. To obtain exclusive custody, you |
| you will be able to relate to your child in several ways. | | | | as the petitioner, will have to convince the court that |
| Some of these might be considered beneficial, others | | | | your child will not benefit from relating to the father. To |
| not. For most single mothers, having your child's father | | | | do this you must present evidence of the father's |
| paternity established presents the advantage that he | | | | neglect, abuse or violence against the child. In absence |
| will have to contribute financially to the child's care. | | | | of any of these, the premise that both parents should |
| Child support payments will be determined by the | | | | have custody of the child will prevail and you will have |
| court, after considering the father's net income and the | | | | to share your child's custody with the father. Once a |
| number of children he has. Under child support the | | | | court makes a determination in favor of shared |
| court may require the father to pay health insurance | | | | custody, you and your child's father will be entitled to |
| for the child if he has the resources to do so. He might | | | | equal time with your child. |
| also be ordered to contribute to the child's education | | | | If you and the father of your child cannot come up |
| and after school care. Legal paternity allows your child | | | | with an agreeable visitation schedule, then the court will |
| to inherit from his father and to receive Social Security | | | | make one for you. You will be required by law to |
| benefits if he dies or becomes disabled. For many | | | | comply with the court's order. If you fail to provide the |
| single mothers these are enough reasons to file a | | | | child for the father's visit, you have directly violated a |
| paternity law suit. | | | | court order. If this happens, you can be found in |
| Like everything else in life, this token has another face. | | | | contempt of court, and will have to explain yourself to |
| There is a price to pay for child support: you will have | | | | the judge. Being in contempt of court can also lead to |
| to share your child's custody with the father and allow | | | | fines and/or time in jail. Again, before considering filing a |
| visitations. For some women this could be too much of | | | | paternity lawsuit, it would be wise to consider the |
| a high a price to pay. | | | | impact of your decision wholeheartedly. |
| Paternity entitles your child's father all the same | | | | |