Does a father have any legal rights if he was not married to the mother at the time of conception?

In New York, a father who was not married to the mother at the time of conception still has some legal rights. For starters, he has the right to establish paternity. This can be done through a legal process called an “acknowledgment of paternity”, where the paternity of the child is established. If the parents reach an agreement, they can make an agreement that is approved by the court which will legally establish paternity. Once paternity is established, the father may be able to pursue “visitation rights” or “parenting time”. This means that the father can have regular contact and visitations to the child. Depending on the circumstances, the father may even be able to pursue “sole custody” of the child, meaning that the child can live with the father and the father can make decisions on the child’s behalf. In order for the father to be awarded any of these rights, the court needs to determine that it is in the best interest of the child. In order to prove that the father is a responsible and fit parent, the father needs to present evidence to the court such as his ability to provide financially and emotionally for the child. It is important to note that establishing paternity is the first step towards obtaining these rights.

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Does a father have any legal rights if he was not married to the mother at the time of conception?

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