Single fathers often worry that living apart from their child’s mother will limit the role they can have in their child’s life. This can be an even bigger concern if you were never married to your child’s mother, and the child has always lived mainly with her.
Illinois law does not ignore a single father’s rights or prevent him from having equal parenting time. Once legal parentage is established, a father can ask for a parenting schedule that gives him substantial or equal time with his child.
If you are trying to stay involved in your child’s life in 2026, an Orland Park, IL fathers’ rights attorney can help you with a parenting plan that protects your relationship with your child.
How Can a Single Father Establish His Parenting Rights in Illinois?
For a father who was never married to his child’s mother, establishing legal parentage is the first step. Under 750 ILCS 46/201, parentage can be established in several ways. An unmarried father may sign a valid voluntary acknowledgment of parentage or have parentage established through a court proceeding. The law also recognizes a presumption of parentage in certain situations.