{"id":351948,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:42","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/paternity\/child-visitation-child-custody-and-unmarried-fathers.html"},"modified":"2024-10-21T16:23:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T21:23:00","slug":"child-visitation-child-custody-and-unmarried-fathers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/paternity\/child-visitation-child-custody-and-unmarried-fathers.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Fathers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Fathers<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Biological parents have a right to seek child visitation or child custody. It does not matter whether the child’s parents were married when the child was born. Learn about how to seek parental rights as a dad in this FindLaw article. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In child custody cases, courts weigh evidence based on the best interests of the child standard. The same standard applies whether the case involves a married or unmarried father. Unless evidence shows otherwise, courts making child custody and visitation decisions presume that the involvement of both parents benefits the child.<\/p>\r\n

The following is a summary of unmarried fathers’ child custody and visitation<\/a> rights, with information on establishing paternity and drafting parenting agreements.<\/p>\r\n

How To Get Custody of a Child as a Father<\/h2>\r\n

A father must meet a few basic requirements to get custody of his child, including:<\/p>\r\n