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FOR
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What
Are My Rights As The Father?
This
is a good question to ask. And just by asking it, you're
on the right track. Standing beside the mother of your
child is where you belong. After all, you're the father.
You
helped bring the mother and baby to this moment. So
it's only right that you should ask questions and help
make decisions.
You're
also right in not suspecting for a moment that this
will all go away and be forgotten. You know that from
this day forward, you have created life and that life
is in your hands.
Becoming
your child's legal father gives you the chance to be
a dad. You get to have a say in legal matters concerning
the child and the child gets a chance to grow up secure
in the love and support of both parents. When parents
take responsibility for a child, the child builds a
sense of identity and gains better self-esteem.
How
to Establish Paternity
With
your consent, a legal form is signed by both parents
establishing paternity. There are many names for this
form. For example, the form may be called a paternity
establishment affidavit, declaration of paternity, or
consent agreement.
You
can get the form at the hospital where your baby is
born or at the child support office. (Call Tarrant County
Child Support at 817-884-1475.) You can also contact
the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington DC 20447, 1-202-401-9373.
If present at the hospital, both parents will get information
about the rights and responsibilities of paternity.
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