Child Custody Rights - Married Vs Unmarried Parents

Are you looking for information about child custody rights? When you know what your custody rights and visitation rights are as a parent it can help you make more informed choices if you are involved in a custody battle, which can ultimately result in a better outcome for you and your children. Being informed of your rights and options and choosing the right course of action for your situation is critical at every step in the divorce process when children are involved. However, state laws and statutes regarding custody rights related to custody and visitation can vary from state to state. As a result, parents will want to spend time becoming educated on their rights as it relates to custody determinations and modifications in their state and how it may be different for mothers and fathers and also different for married verses unmarried parents.

It is important for married mothers and fathers and unwed moms and dads involved in a custody dispute to know what their child custody rights are. Mother's rights and dad's rights when married are often different than that of married parents. Married parents typically have equal parenting rights and share guardianship over their children, and upon separation or divorce, each parent typically has an equal right to custody. However, unmarried parents rights may be different as unmarried parents may not be afforded the same benefit of having these presumed rights. However, this may depend on specific state custody laws and statutes.

While unmarried parents can petition the court for the same types of child custody arrangements as divorced parents, unwed fathers are often faced with an additional challenge that mothers do not have. An unmarried father may not be presumed to have the right to custody of his child or be able to get custody and visitation rights until he establishes paternity. Paternity refers to a legal process by which the father of a child is established. After paternity is established, dad can gain custody and visitation rights and child support can be awarded and set according to state law child support guidelines.

Whether you are a married mother or father or unmarried mom or dad it is important to be informed of your child custody rights and become educated on the subject of custody determinations and modifications.

Steven Carlson, The Custody Coach™, is the author of the winning child custody E-Book "How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Costs!" Mr. Carlson's book has been reviewed by some of the foremost professionals in the field of custody, family law, and parent education. Child Custody Coach ™ supplies child custody information, online materials, and coaching services to parents faced with custody and visitation agreement issues.