Fathers’ Rights Lawyers in Houston

Advocating for Fathers & Their Rights Across Texas

Fathers have an important role to play in their children’s lives. That’s why, where possible, Texas courts prefer to award joint custody in a divorce, or to arrange a visitation schedule that allows both parents access to the children. However, the “best interests of the child” are the guiding rule. The courts may recognize that the child will have a healthier, better life with one parent in primary or sole custody.

In Texas, custody judgments aren’t awarded based on gender. This means that, by code, you are as likely to be awarded primary custody as your child’s mother. However, systems and judges may be biased toward the mother. This is why it’s important to have an experienced attorney represent your case and make your voice heard.

Contact a Houston fathers’ rights lawyer who can fight for you. Reach out to Cynthia Tracy, Attorney at Law, P.C. at (281) 612-5443.

How Can a Father Establish Paternity in Texas?

Fathers who are married to their child’s mother are considered the legal father of their child. But, even if you are not married to your child’s mother, you have legal rights—if you establish paternity.

Paternity can be established in one of several ways:

• If both parents agree, they sign an “acknowledgement of paternity” form, either when the child is born or afterward.
• If paternity is disputed, one of the parties can file a “petition to adjudicate parentage” with the county. If the potential father does not attend the hearing, the judge may rule him the legal father by default.
• If the petition to adjudicate parentage is filed and the parents cannot come to agreement on paternity, the matter may proceed to a cheek swab DNA test.