Jamestown, NC - When I began my program Fathers With Voices in 1996 while living in New York City, I knew I was about to provide a service that was a real need in social services. However, I did not know just how much of a need this problem was throughout the community.

Through a simple questionnaire I found that men did not know their paternal rights according to family domestic law and they have a basic fear of the family court system.

The above equals to the following:

• Fathers are vulnerable to false allegations and false orders of protection (tactics used against them in family court)
• Fathers could lose contact with their children but still pay child support (over forty percent of fathers pay child support but don’t know where their children are)
• Paying unnecessary and excessive legal fees

As I have pleaded with fathers over the years, the moment you see the communication with a girlfriend or wife break down, you must begin the process of legally protecting your relationship with your child. Why? Experience has shown me that the more a father loves his child; chances are his child will eventually become a pawn. Unfortunately, parents fail to realize the level of emotional danger they place their children in when they use their children as pawns. Nevertheless, experience has also shown me when a man is knowledgeable about his rights he can maintain his status as a father if a separation and divorce occurs. These are some things fathers need to know:

1. Make sure your name is on the birth certificate-if it is not, go to family court and petition to become your child’s legal father-speak to an attorney also!
2. If you are not married to your child’s mother and you start hearing comments like” I’m going to move away” or “my child doesn’t need you” go to family court immediately and file for your visitation rights and request an injunction prohibiting her from leaving the state
3. If you are married you can have liberal visitation rights which means unlimited
4. Learn as much as you can about your type of case whether its visitation, child support or custody-utilize the internet and some local law libraries allow public access
5. DO NOT PAY CASH for child support-instead pay in checks or postal money orders-write your child’s name on the top of the money order/check and in the memo section on a check write for child support-also keep detailed records and save everything sent to you by child support

For more information, contact Eric Legette at: Questions-legetteric@yahoo.com, or visit www.fatherswithvoices.info

PRINT THIS PAGE    E-MAIL PAGE    DISCUSS ARTICLE    ALL ARTICLES    TAKE A QUIZ

More Lifestyle Links

Parenting - Fatherhood
Education
Our Culture
Religion & Faith
Black Community
People Profiles

Black & African History
Autos & Trucks
Technology
Sports/Athletics
Recreation & Fun

All Lifestyle Topics

Web www.mybrotha.com