Father’s Rights Lawyer in Washington, D.C.
Attorney provides skillful representation for men in the Beltway area
In the past, much of society failed to acknowledge the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Many decisions on custody and visitation reflected this bias, and some statutes even favored mothers in these matters. Fortunately, times have changed and laws related to child custody in Washington, D.C. and Maryland no longer favor one parent over the other. Still, if you’re a father looking to maintain a strong presence in your child’s life, you may need to overcome outdated attitudes. At the Law Offices of Jesse A. Gadson, PLLC, I have more than 35 years of experience helping men in the Washington, D.C. area establish and enforce their parental rights. Whether you’re going through a divorce or never were married to your child’s other parent, my firm offers the advice and advocacy you need to get the legal result you deserve.
Dedicated advocate handles custody arrangements in divorce cases
Decisions on child custody and visitation are supposed to be made based on what is in the best interests of the child. In almost every case, this means that a youth gets to spend ample, meaningful time with both parents. Traditionally, courts tended to put children in the homes of their mothers, with fathers having visitation on weekends and perhaps during school vacations. There are many other options however, and I am ready to find what works best for you, whether that involves a joint custody arrangement, extended visitation or obtaining primary physical custody if your home is the best environment for your son or daughter.
Effective litigator represents unmarried fathers in paternity matters
Regardless of how long the relationship has lasted, if you and the mother of your child were never married, you need to take legal action to be legally recognized as your child’s father. When there is no dispute about parentage, the simplest way to do so is through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. This document can be executed in the days following the birth of a son or daughter, allowing the man’s name to be listed on the infant’s birth certificate. No court proceeding is necessary if the document is completed correctly and notarized.
Genetic testing is often the key to establishing a father’s legal rights
Most disagreements over paternity can be resolved through genetic testing. While in some cases unmarried mothers seek a paternity test as part of their petition for child support, men can also request a test in order to establish custody and visitation rights. If it is necessary, a court can order that the parties submit to testing, which is usually conducted by taking DNA samples from cheek swabs or blood. Results are highly reliable and are usually available within a few days, so if you’ve been denied the right to spend time with your child, my family law firm can act quickly on your behalf to remedy the situation.
Contact an experienced DC Metro father’s rights attorney for an appointment
The Law Offices of Jesse A. Gadson, PLLC advocates for Washington, D.C. and Maryland fathers in divorces, child support and custody proceedings. My office is on Columbia Road NW in the District. To make an appointment, please call 202-972-1343 or contact me online.
