Child custody issues can arise between parents whether they've been married or not. Without the benefit of marriage, however, these issues become even more complex from a legal perspective. To provide some clarification, below are a few important details to know about child custody disputes between non-married parents.

Paternity Must Be Established

The majority of child custody disputes among unwed parents arise around paternity matters. With married couples, the husband is always legally presumed to be the child's father. With unmarried couples, this presumption does not exist, so a parent must instead take extra steps to establish paternity. Establishing paternity will help the father get visitation or custody rights and will initiate child support orders.

How does one prove paternity? Having the father's name on the birth certificate is a good starting point. The father should also fill out a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, have it notarized, and send it to the Central Paternity Registry. If the mother challenges paternity, a genetic test is the next logical step and will prove conclusively whether the man in question is the biological father.

Some Points to Remember

When involved in a custody disagreement, it's crucial to remember that a child support order is not the same thing as a custody or visitation arrangement. In other words, just because you pay child support does not mean you get custody rights or visitation time. The two are more or less separate legal matters that require separate filings.

If you're an unwed father seeking custody of or visitation with your child, a family law attorney's guidance can be invaluable. They will help you explore the available legal options and will work to establish paternity to open more possibilities for your case.

The lawyers at Rutherford Law Office in Chillicothe, Ohio, will look out for you and your child. They represent clients in all aspects of family law cases, including child custody and unwed parent issues. Call (740) 775-7434 or visit their website to schedule a consultation, and visit them on Facebook for updates.