What happens if the father does not appear for the court hearing?
If the father does not appear for a court hearing in Texas, the court will move forward with the case without his presence. The court may issue a default judgment, which essentially means the court enters a final order on the case without the father’s input. A default judgment may be entered if the father does not respond to the court’s notice. If the father does not appear at the hearing, the court will still consider the evidence presented and make a judgment in the case. In terms of paternity law, the court may issue a default order recognizing paternity. This means that the court has found sufficient evidence to establish that the father is, in fact, the biological parent of the child. The court may also order the father to pay child support and other related expenses, even in the father’s absence. The court may also issue a default judgment denying paternity, which states that the court found sufficient evidence to disprove the father’s paternity claim. Ultimately, the outcome of a paternity case is determined by the court, regardless of the father’s attendance at the hearing. Therefore, it’s important for fathers to appear in court if they are contesting paternity or seeking to be declared the legal father of a child. Failure to appear at the hearing could result in a default judgment being issued against them.
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