Are you searching for Father’s rights child custody lawyers in New Mexico? If so, there are crucial issues to consider. Let’s explore father’s rights in New Mexico.
ESTABLISHING PATERNITY AND PARENTAL RIGHTS
Are you trying to understand father’s rights? If so, it is important to know how to establish paternity and parental rights. First, fathers cannot establish paternity before a child is born. However, once the child is born, paternity can be established by:
- Agreement between the parties; or
- Completing a DNA test if paternity is denied.
For unmarried parents, paternity is established through an Acknowledgement of Paternity. Moreover, paternity can be established through New Mexico courts by filing a petition to establish paternity.
It is important to establish paternity for:
- Financial support;
- Health insurance;
- Social security benefits; and
- Establishing rights.
Importantly, establishing paternity and parental rights does not guarantee visitation. You see, visitation is always based on a child’s best interests. Therefore, mother and fathers do not have an inherent “right” to visitation. Nevertheless, paternity must first be established before NM courts will determine visitation in a child’s best interests.
PARENTAL RIGHTS VS. CUSTODY
Paternity must be established before parental rights or custody are established. You see, fathers do not have any legal rights or responsibilities until paternity is established.
With that said, parental rights do not equal custody rights. In other words, establishing parentage does not include custody or visitation rights.
Custody comes in two forms: legal and physical. Legal custody means the ability to make major decisions that impacts the child. On the other hand, physical custody is another word for visitation. New Mexico law believes that children are best when raised by both parents.
Nevertheless, custody and visitation are always based on the child’s best interests.
UNDERSTANDING FATHER’S RIGHTS — FATHER’S RIGHTS CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS
Are you trying to understand father’s rights in New Mexico? If so, it is important to consider some crucial points. First, father’s do not have a legal right to custody or visitation. As discussed, custody and visitation are always based on a child’s best interests.
In other words, New Mexico courts are child centered and view custody and visitation from a child’s eyes. In doing so, the court does not consider father’s rights, or mother’s rights. This means that fathers do not have a right to 50-50 visitation. In fact, fathers do not have a legal right to any visitation.
With that said, Fathers that are being denied visitation or communication should immediately involve the courts. In doing so, fathers that have not established custody or visitation should file a petition. In doing so, the court will establish custody and visitation based on the child’s best interests.
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR MEN/WOMEN ONLY?
Are you curious if you need an attorney for fathers or mothers only? The concept of an attorney for men or women only is interesting. Increasingly, television ads suggest that fathers or mothers should only hire an attorney that represents either fathers or mothers. However, this suggestion only seems to apply to lawyers – not dentists, accountants, or any other service provider.
For instance, did you only hire your dentist because he/she serves men/women? Probably not.
When picking an attorney, you should consider factors such as:
- Experience;
- Knowledge;
- Personality; and
- Legal ability.
You see, an attorney that only represents men doesn’t change the facts or New Mexico law. Most importantly, the gender that an attorney represents does not change that attorney’s experience or ability.
When choosing an attorney, the most important factors to consider are experience, knowledge, and ability.
FINDING THE BEST FATHERS RIGHTS ATTORNEY/LAWYER IN NEW MEXICO
Are you looking for the best father’s rights attorney/lawyer in New Mexico? If so, you should consider your attorneys experience and understanding of New Mexico law. Consider factors such as:
- The potential visitation schedules:
- Mistakes that can haunt your custody and visitation case;
- How to improve your custody and visitation case;
- How substance abuse impacts custody and visitation;
- The other side of the custody argument;
- Signs that your ex is bullying you with custody or visitation
- Ways to destroy your child custody case; and
- Ways to help your child custody case.
FATHER’S RIGHTS CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS NEAR YOU
For over a decade, Matthew Sanchez has helped fathers across New Mexico. Sanchez has handled custody and visitation cases in courthouses across New Mexico, including: Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Belen, Gallup, Santa Fe, Estancia/Socorro. Speak with a battle-tested New Mexico divorce and custody lawyer. Speak with (505) SANCHEZ.
