Believe it or not, about 1/3 of our family law cases are for unmarried parents. A question we hear all the time:
Do Unmarried Parents Have The Same Child Custody Rights As Married Parents?
Yes. The same laws that govern married parents also govern unmarried parents. Determining parenting plans, child support, custody/visitation, and the rest applies whether the parents are married or not.
However, FATHERS DO NOT HAVE LEGAL RIGHTS until paternity is proven.
When deciding on child custody and support, courts consider the same factors in cases involving parents divorcing, dissolving a domestic partnership, or otherwise separating.
In the end, the best interests of the child ALWAYS take precedence over all other concerns.
Related Reading: How Is Paternity Established In California?
Related Reading: How Is Custody Decided?
