Father's Rights FAQs

• Q: When Does An Unmarried Father Acquire Parental Rights?
  A: A man who is not married to a child's mother does not have any parental rights until his paternity has been established.  Paternity may be established by the … More
• Q: Can The State Terminate A Parent's Rights Over Their Children?
  A: Yes.  Every state has an agency that protects the interests of children.  That agency may ask the court to terminate parental rights.  Usually, the … More
• Q: How Is Child Support Ordered And What Exactly Is It?
  A: Child support is a court ordered monthly payment by one parent (often the non-custodial parent) to the other parent for the support of their common child. Federal law … More
• Q: What Is Child Support, And How Is Child Support Determined?
  A: Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non­custodial parent to help compensate a child's living expenses, i.e. food, clothes, etc., … More
• Q: Does Every State Follow The Same Formula In Calculating Child Support?
  A: No.  Each state has their own child support law but each state tends to follow one of three basic models:  Flat Percentage, Income Shares, and the Melson … More
• Q: What Factors Are Used To Calculate Child Support Payments? Can The Amount Of The Payment Change Over Time?
  A: Under the Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984, child support payments are based upon each parent's current income.  This includes a number of elements … More
• Q: Is A Father Who Never Married The Mother Still Required To Pay Child Support? What If The Father Is Not Allowed To See The Child?
  A: Regardless of marital status, an ‘assumed father' is any biological father of a child for whom paternity has been established by either the admission of the … More
• Q: What Happens To A Father Who Refuses To Pay Court Ordered Child Support?
  A: Under the Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984, it is against the law for any father, presumed or assumed, to not pay court ordered child support to the custodial … More
• Q: My Ex Is Not Making Child Support Payments – What Can I Do?
  A: You can take your ex back to court.  Once there, the judge has many tools available for your use.  For example, you could have the judge issue a wage … More
• Q: Can A Child Support Order Be Changed Or Modified?
  A: Yes. An order for child support can be changed or modified any time there is a material change in circumstances from the time that the initial child support was … More