If you are an unmarried father in Illinois, you likely have questions and concerns about your legal rights and those of your child. Understanding your rights as a father, or your paternity rights, can be especially important if the parents’ relationship is strained and the mother is reluctant to involve the father in the child’s life.
Contacting an experienced family lawyer in Illinois who can help you understand paternity laws is the best first step to take. The attorney will discuss your legal options with you, such as making sure your relationship with your child is recognized in the eyes of the law. This is called “establishing paternity.”
Why Should Someone Establish Paternity?
A new father might consider establishing paternity to secure his legal rights, such as child custody and parenting time. But paternity also grants certain rights to the child, including: