Bentonville Fathers’ Rights Lawyer

Pursuing your father’s rights can be an ordeal, especially if you don’t know where to start. If your spouse is vindictive, they may try to use your children against you in the event of separation or divorce. It’s vital that you don’t let this happen, and the most reliable way to do that is to establish paternity legally and do what you need to do to be a consistent presence in your child’s life. A Bentonville fathers’ rights lawyer can walk you through everything you need to do.

The Bentonville family law attorneys at Bundy Law knows how complicated and emotional a father’s rights case can get. Arkansas has strict fathers’ rights laws when it comes to the establishment of paternity, and it’s recommended that you hire a Bentonville fathers’ rights attorney to help you navigate those laws. Aaron Bundy has been a proud member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers for some time. He can bring experience, dedication, and knowledge to your case.

Establishing Paternity in Arkansas

If you wish to pursue a father’s rights case through the courts in Bentonville, your case will be handled in the Benton County Circuit Court. The court sees cases like yours all the time. Arkansas has a high divorce rate of 3.0 per 1,000 individuals, with a similarly high marriage rate of 48.9%. Custody cases that come from divorces may see mothers trying to prevent fathers from being involved. That’s why it’s so important for fathers to establish paternity.

In Arkansas, both parents have automatic legal custody of the child if the parents are married. The father’s name is put on the birth certificate, and that’s the end of it. If the parents are not married at the time of birth, mothers have automatic sole legal custody of their children until fathers establish paternity. The father is not put on the birth certificate until he fills out the right paperwork. In Arkansas, there are only two ways to legally establish paternity:

• Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. The easiest way for a father to establish paternity is to sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity (AOP) form at the hospital at the time of birth. You can sign this form any time during the child’s life before they turn 18, but it’s recommended that you just handle it right at the start. Both parents must sign it, it must be witnessed and notarized, and no blood test is necessary.
• Court order. The other way is more complicated, but just as effective. A father can file a court order to establish paternity. The court will consider the father’s argument and address child support, child custody, and visitation. If the mother denies that the plaintiff is the father, a DNA test will likely be ordered through the court. If the DNA test proves that he is the father, the mother may be ordered to pay court costs and the cost of the test.

How Can a Father’s Rights Lawyer Help?

It’s understandable to be concerned about embarking on such an important legal process on your own. That’s why it’s wise to hire a father’s rights lawyer to assist you. The slightest mistake in this process can result in losing custody of your children, so you shouldn’t take any chances. Here are some important ways that a father’s rights lawyer can help your case:

• Securing custody and visitation. If you are able to establish paternity, the next step is figuring out how involved you intend to be in your child’s life. Your lawyer can help you draft a parenting plan with your ex that includes consistent parenting time, fair involvement, and how to handle certain holidays. If your ex challenges the parenting plan, you may need help from the court to put it together.
• Child support calculations. If you are ordered to pay child support, you will want to make sure that the amount is fair and calculated correctly. Your lawyer can help you work out a proposed amount based on your income and make sure your ex doesn’t try to inflate the payment amount by lying about their own financial hardships.

FAQs

How Much Does a Father’s Rights Lawyer Cost in Arkansas?

There is no telling how much a father’s rights lawyer may cost in Arkansas. Every case involving fathers’ rights is different, and the more complicated a case is, the more it will likely cost you. Certain factors will directly influence your lawyer’s fee, including contested custody, uncontested paternity, and both parties’ willingness to compromise. Litigation can make a case substantially more expensive.

What Rights Do Fathers Have in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, fathers have the same parental rights that mothers do, provided they have formally established paternity. Fathers have the right to be present in their children’s lives, make decisions regarding their welfare, and raise their kids as they see fit. If a court has ordered joint custody, which is generally preferred, both parents will share parental responsibilities. Your lawyer can help you make sure your ex doesn’t try to hurt your parental rights.

What Is the Biggest Mistake You Can Make in a Custody Battle?

The biggest mistake you can make in a custody battle is using your children to manipulate either your ex or the court. The court can generally see through any attempt to use a child as a pawn. Such actions can result in a negative settlement for you. Actions such as engaging in parental alienation, keeping your children away from the other parent, or sharing excessive details about the divorce to paint the other parent in a bad light can all be harmful to your case.

How Do You Prove the Other Parent Is Manipulative?

The most reliable way to prove the other parent is manipulative is to document their behavior. If possible, gather audio and video recordings, as well as witness statements that reinforce your case. Ultimately, the family court will decide what to do in the interest of your child’s welfare. If that includes granting you primary custody in light of the other parent’s manipulative behavior as shown through evidence, then that will be the case.

Hire a Father’s Rights Lawyer Today

At Bundy Law, we can help you figure out the right path forward for your paternity case. Contact us to speak to someone who can help.