{"id":372349,"date":"2019-02-26T16:43:31","date_gmt":"2019-02-26T21:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-d-c-1.html"},"modified":"2019-02-27T13:12:47","modified_gmt":"2019-02-27T18:12:47","slug":"protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-d-c-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-d-c-1.html","title":{"rendered":"Protection for Unmarried Parents in D.C."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Protection for Unmarried Parents in D.C.<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

The protection that an unmarried parent in D.C. receives concerning child custody<\/a> and other family law matters mirrors the protection that a married parent gets, but with a few differences. For instance, visitation and custody matters can be addressed as part of the divorce proceedings for a married couple, but this isn’t true for unmarried parents who have separate proceedings for these issues.<\/p>\r\n

Protection for Unmarried Parents in D.C. at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Although it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney for complex legal matters, you can get a handle on the law with a breakdown that summarizes the statutory language. Read the helpful chart below for information on protections for unmarried parents in D.C.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

District of Columbia Code Division II. Judiciary and Judicial Procedure:<\/p>\r\n

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Establishing Paternity<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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Because there isn’t typically any doubt about a mother’s paternity, an unmarried mother has full and legal custody of their child automatically.<\/p>\r\n

A husband is automatically considered a legal father to any child born of the marriage. In contrast, an unwed father must establish paternity<\/a> before any parental rights and duties are triggered. In D.C., paternity is established in the following ways:<\/p>\r\n

Custody and Visitation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Unless the court determines that it’s not in the best interests of the child, the court may issue a child custody order that provides for:<\/p>\r\n

Parents Rights to Information<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

All parents (including unmarried parents) have the right to specific information about the child, including the right to review and inspect education records and access to medical and mental health records.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Protection for Unmarried Parents in D.C.: Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n