My mother won’t let me see my child, what can I do?
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
Most clients that call our office want a quick and easy answer to their Family Law issues. None are more pressing than when Legitimation is involved. Our first question regarding custody involves- Are you the legal father. That usually is followed with an answer of I’m on the birth certificate doesn’t that count? Or we were never married but I’m on the birth certificate. Unfortunately for this issue there is only one simple answer that we can provide: You need to be legitimated to establish your rights as a father.
Legitimation is covered under various statutes in Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). Legitimation, or Legitimacy, itself is defined under O.C.G.A. 19-7-20 where “All children born in wedlock or within the usual period of gestation thereafter are legitimate.” This means that the parents are married before the child is born. The provision in the remainder of O.C.G.A. 19-7-X involve how someone can become legitimated if they are not married prior to the child’s birth.
It doesn’t matter where you find yourself in Georgia all issues with Legitimation or Legitimacy involve the O.C.G.A. and navigation of its proverbial waters to get the results you want. An experienced attorney and their team can absolutely make this journey easier and provide you with ease in your already complex and troubled situation.
If you need help with legitimation you need to seek the help of a Family law attorney. A Family Lawyer and their staff can assist you in navigating the clouded waters of the Georgia Code and reach your resolution faster than attempting it on your own. Should YOU find that you either don’t want to face the court alone or simply feel that you need help from an attorney then give our office a call regarding your situation. Each situation is different from the other and requires a evaluation of all the information in order to properly mount your petition or mount a response.
Our office has 24 hour response lines and can answer your questions and help you. Give our team of Family Lawyers a call at 404-445-8494.
