Just because a man has his name on a child’s birth certificate does not make him the “legal” father of a child. Who the “legal” father of a child is under Minnesota law is a bit more complicated.
If a child is born to a married couple, the law presumes that the child’s father is the husband of the natural mother. If a child is born out of wedlock, however, the natural mother has sole custody of the child until a court orders otherwise. In the case of an unwed mother, a man who believes he is the father of the child may petition the court to establish paternity. Once paternity has been established by the court, the court may decide issues such as child custody, parenting time and/or child support. A father-child relationship may also be established by the court by way of an adoption.
Parents may need the help of a lawyer to figure out the complexities of their particular family law issue. Whether the issue is paternity, child custody, child support, parenting time, adoption, or dissolving a marriage, the lawyers at Swenson Lervick can help. The lawyers are knowledgeable, compassionate and ready to fight for your rights.
If you are faced with divorce or legal separation, contact Derek Trosvig at [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-2″].
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For legal advice regarding your particular situation, please retain an attorney as soon as possible so as to not lose any legal rights you may have.