Missouri

Fathers rights in Missouri are protected by law. They cover 3 essential areas.

Paternity: You have the right to establish paternity. When you file a legal request, the court will order a paternity test to determine if you are the father. Establishing paternity, if it is disputed, is the first step in securing further legal rights.

Custody: Fathers rights in Missouri include the right to seek custody of your child or children. Custody means that you have the right to make decisions on how your children are raised, either by yourself or in cooperation with their mother if she also has custodial rights. Custody may grant you physical custody of the children so that they would live primarily with you, shared custody with their mother, or it may grant you visitation rights if the mother has been granted primary physical custody.

Support: Missouri fathers rights allow you to seek child support from the mother of the children if you have joint or sole physical custody of them. The court will order a financial evaluation of both parents in order to establish the level of financial support required.

These are Missouri fathers rights. Knowing what they are is the first step in benefitting from them. If you want to pursue your rights or if they have been violated, seek the help of a lawyer experienced in fathers rights in Missouri.