Fathers’ rights at the heart of a recent court battle

When many think of parental rights, they think of children who are already born who have divorced parents. While this is true in most cases, there is another facet of parental rights that isn't often considered. That facet is fathers who have children that have yet to be born. This fathers' rights issue has been brought to the public's attention in a recent case. Unmarried fathers in Virginia might be interested in this case.

The case involves a man who sued his ex-fiance for the right to know when she went into labor, the right to see his baby as soon as possible after the baby was born, the right for the baby to have his surname and the right to sign the birth certificate. The judge in the case denied the unmarried father all of the things he asked for.

The judge also denied the man's request for a parenting time order to be issued. He ruled that the best interests of the child can't be determined prior to the child's birth.

In regards to the birth certificate, the judge said that giving an order for the man to be able to sign the birth certificate was a violation of the mother's rights. That gives the mother a right to deny the man the ability to sign the child's birth certificate.

The judge also blocked the man from being able to be present at his child's birth. In his ruling, the judge said that the mother's interests trumped the father's interest before the child's birth. He also noted that the father being notified of the labor was a violation of the woman's privacy.

This case shows just how difficult it is for some men to obtain fathers' rights. Those who have questions about child custody, visitation and other matters pertaining to their right to see their children can find answers from an experienced family law attorney. In legal battles involving paternal rights, this legal professional can be an ally in the courts.

Source:  Huffington Post, "Another Blow to Fathers' Rights; Dad Barred From Delivery Room" Joseph E. Cordell, Mar. 25, 2014