What are my rights as an unmarried father?
January 5, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Oliver Breitwieser
Dear Mrs. Fuchs,
I am facing a difficult situation and hope that you can help me. I am an unmarried father and have separated from the mother of my child. I am now concerned about my rights as a father. I would like to know what rights I have regarding custody, visitation with my child, and financial support.
Background information: I was not married to the mother of my child and we never applied for joint custody. However, I would like to maintain a good relationship with my child and actively participate in their life. The mother of my child is not very cooperative and wants to make contact difficult for me.
My concerns are that I do not know what rights I have as an unmarried father and how I can enforce my rights. I would like to know what options are available to me to obtain custody, regulate visitation with my child, and, if necessary, receive financial support.
Could you please provide me with information on what rights I have as an unmarried father and how I can enforce my rights regarding custody, visitation with my child, and financial support? I thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Katrin Fuchs
Dear Mrs. Fuchs,
Thank you for your inquiry and your trust in my expertise in family law. It is understandable that you are concerned about your rights as an unmarried father, and I would like to help you clarify the situation.
As an unmarried father, you generally have the same rights as a married father. This means that you have the right to apply for parental responsibility for your child. Parental responsibility includes the right to make decisions on all important matters concerning the child, such as their health, education, and upbringing.. If the mother of your child is not willing to share parental responsibility with you, you can apply to the family court for joint parental responsibility. The court will then assess whether this is in the best interest of the child.
Regarding access to your child, as a father, you also have the right to regular contact with your child. If the mother makes contact difficult, you can apply to the family court for a contact arrangement. The court will prioritize the child's well-being and establish an appropriate contact arrangement.
In terms of financial support, as a father, you also have the obligation to pay maintenance for the child. The amount of maintenance depends on the income of both parents and the child's needs. If the mother of your child demands maintenance payments from you, you can have a maintenance calculation carried out by the youth welfare office or the family court.
It is important that you know your rights as a father and seek legal assistance if necessary to enforce them. I recommend consulting an experienced family law attorney who can support you in your matter.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions. Thank you for your inquiry and all the best for your situation.
Best regards,
Oliver Breitwieser
