What are the rights of a father when paternity is established?

In North Carolina, a father’s rights when paternity is established depend largely on whether the father was married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth. If the father is married to the mother when the child is born, he is presumed to be the father and he will have parental rights regardless of whether he was actually the biological father. If the father is not married to the mother, he will have to establish paternity in order to be recognized as the legal father. This can be done through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or through a court order. Once paternity is legally established, the father will gain parental rights which include visitation rights, the ability to provide legal and financial support, and the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing. Additionally, a father can request to be placed on the child’s birth certificate, even if he was not married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth. If the father is listed on the birth certificate, he will have the same parental rights and responsibilities as if he had established paternity in a court of law. Therefore, when paternity is legally established, a father in North Carolina may gain parental rights and responsibilities, such as the ability to provide financial and legal support, the right to visitation, and the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing.

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What are the rights of a father when paternity is established?

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