What are the rights of a father in a paternity case?

In Texas, fathers have certain rights guaranteed by paternity law. A father has the right to legally establish and maintain a relationship with his child. The father has the right to petition the court for visitation and custody of their child. This may involve filing a court petition to set up a visitation agreement or to seek legal custody of their child. Additionally, the father has the right to ask the court for child support. This can include filing a petition with the court for an order requiring the mother to provide financial support to the father for the child. The father also has the right to request paternity testing. If a man believes that he is the father of a child, he can petition the court for a paternity test. In order for the DNA test to be voluntarily done, both the alleged father and the mother have to agree to it. If the test yields positive results, it allows the father to officially establish paternity and gain rights to their child. In Texas, a father also has the right to object to the adoption of the child. In Texas adoption laws, the paternity of the father must be established before the court can approve an adoption. If a father wants to contest the adoption, he must make formal objections to the court. In Texas, the father must make his objections within 30 days of the court hearing in order for the adoption to be legally contested.

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What are the rights of a father in a paternity case?

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