When a married couple files for divorce, they may encounter a plethora of legal hurdles, such as property division and child support. However, when an unmarried couple separates, those with children may have a number of challenges related to their children, such as child custody and visitation. In Belleville, and throughout the rest of Illinois, unmarried fathers should review their rights and address any legal problems they are facing regarding their children as soon as they can.
On the Child Welfare Information Gateway’s site, an overview of unmarried fathers’ rights is provided. The site reports that recent years have seen a notable increase in the number of children born to unmarried fathers, many of whom are looking for more involvement in the lives of their children, which underlines the significance of handling these matters properly. First of all, it is essential for unmarried fathers who wish to have a legal relationship with their child to take a look at the process of establishing paternity. Furthermore, it is crucial for fathers to realize that laws vary from one state to another. In Illinois, men are presumed to be a child’s father under a variety of circumstances, such as the signing of a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form by both parents.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, biological parents who are not married are able to complete a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form, found at a number of locations including health departments, county clerks and public aid offices. By handling paternity and other legal issues correctly, fathers can prevent unnecessary complications from arising.