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Custody Rights Of An Unmarried Mother

What are the custody rights of an unmarried mother?  Ohio law provides a number of direct answers to this question.  Ohio Revised Code 3109.042 (R.C. 3109.042) answers that question: “An unmarried female who gives birth to a child is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of the child until a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the residential parent and legal custodian.”  This means that, unless a court has ruled otherwise, an unmarried mother is the sole legal custodian of her child, giving her the right to make decisions for her child.

Father’s Rights Versus Custody Rights of An Unmarried Mother

 

Where does this leave the father?  Until a court is called upon to designate a legal custodian, the mother has sole legal custody.  Once the court gets involved, R.C. 3109.042 requires that the father be treated equally: “A court designating the residential parent and legal custodian of a child described in this section shall treat the mother and father as standing upon an equality when making the designation.”  This means that a father who would like rights to his child needs to seek a court order establishing that he is the father and granting him such rights.

What Court Should A Paternity Complaint Be Filed? 

 

Paternity complaints originate in different courts, depending upon which county one files.  In Medina County and Summit County, such cases are filed in domestic relations court.  In Wayne County, such cases are filed in juvenile court.

Articles Related To Custody Rights Of An Unmarried Mother

 

Take a look at some of my articles, where I talk at length the issues that relate to divorce, dissolution, and child custody: do I have to file anything before moving with my child in Ohio, grandparents have rights in Ohio, how much is too little child support in Ohio, what to do when you lose custody of your child in Ohio, how child custody is decided in Ohio, should I videotape my child’s wishes in Ohio, and numbers are not the only thing that changes Ohio child support. Take a look at what the client reviews of Daniel Gigiano have to say, website links to works of Daniel Gigiano, examples of Daniel Gigiano’s work, and Daniel Gigiano’s works as seen on the internet.

Call To Learn More About How Custody Rights Of An Unmarried Mother Applies To You

 

Attorney Gigiano is a Medina County child custody attorney in Wadsworth, where he fights for the rights of legal custodians and to have legal custody granted to deserving individuals.  If you have questions about this or other questions you need answered by an experienced Orrville legal custody lawyer in Medina County or Wooster divorce lawyer in Wadsworth, please call Attorney Daniel F. Gigiano at 330-336-3330.