Understanding Fathers Rights in Texas

Fathers ending a relationship with he mother of his child may wonder about his fathers right in Texas. A man can obtain fathers rights in Texas if he is considered the legal father under the Uniform Parentage Act (Texas Family Code Section 160 et seq.).  Once meeting the statutory requirements,  he is the child's father.  As the child's father, he has many fathers rights in Texas.

The Right to Seek Physical and Legal Custody of Your Child

Under Texas law, the mother and the father have equal rights to be a child's custodial parent. When parents cannot decide where a child will live, the Family Court will decide.  This decision is based on the best interest of the child. Father who are non-custodial parent, still other rights under the law.

Support and Visitation

Those rights include regular contact with your child.  This allows for regular visits between the father and child.  This regular visitation schedule is vital in maintaining the parent and child relationship.

Parents can agree on a set visitation schedule, or the court can order a visitation schedule.  Judges will consider the best interest of the child.

Rarely do Texas courts deny visitation but can in the circumstances involving abuse, neglect, or criminal activity.  Mothers may not deny court-ordered visitation between the father and child.  Fathers who are behind on child support still have the right to their court-ordered visitation.

Making Decision

Fathers have the right to be involved in making decisions for their child's healthcare, education, and religious upbringing. Fathers get to help decide which doctors his child sees and decide where his child goes to school and church. Fathers will then be allowed access to his child's medical and educational records, as permitted by law.

Discipline

Fathers rights in Texas allows the father to be involved in the decision regarding his child's discipline.  This includes deciding how best to discipline when a child misbehaves. A child benefit when both parents can choose on a consistent discipline for both households.

Managing the Child's Financial Affairs

The Texas Family Code also permits fathers to be involved in managing all of a child's assets such as earnings or real property. In fact, a father can be included in managing all of your child's financial dealings. Also, if a child becomes involved in any legal proceedings, the father has rights to be involved in those proceedings.

Other Fathers Rights in Texas

It is important to remember that both the father and mother have the same parental rights. Also, the court will determine if any specific right should be assigned to a single parent.  This often happens when there is a history of the parents being unable to work together to make decisions regarding the child.

Finally, remember that in addition to these fathers right in Texas, fathers have the continuing legal duty to support his child in every way.

Have Questions

Fathers seeking additional help regarding father's rights in Texas can contact the America Family Law Center.

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