Father’s rights have evolved significantly over the past several decades. Modern family courts recognize that children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents.
At Durak Law, we work with fathers across Franklin who want to build and protect strong relationships with their children. You may feel like the system favors mothers, but Tennessee law gives fathers clear rights, too. The challenge is asserting those rights with confidence, especially when emotions run high during a separation or custody dispute.
Whether you’re dealing with custody, visitation, or child support, you want what’s best for your child. But courts don’t always see the full picture unless you have someone advocating for you.
That’s where we come in. We work directly with fathers throughout Franklin, Tennessee, to protect their parental rights. Our experience handling these sensitive cases helps fathers understand their options and make informed decisions about their family’s future.
What Are Fathers’ Rights?
Fathers’ rights refer to your legal ability to maintain a relationship with your child. These rights include custody, parenting time, decision-making authority, and financial responsibilities. Tennessee law does not favor one parent over the other based on gender. Instead, the court focuses on the child’s best interests.
Still, fathers often feel like they’re starting from a weaker position. If you were not married to the child’s mother when the child was born, the legal system doesn’t automatically recognize you as the father. This can make it difficult to request parenting time or gain legal custody unless you take action to establish your rights.
In Franklin and throughout Tennessee, we help fathers stand on equal footing with mothers. Whether you’re seeking joint custody, full custody, or simply a fair parenting schedule, your voice matters. And your child deserves to have you in their life.
Establishing Paternity
If you were not married to your child’s mother when your child was born, Tennessee law doesn’t automatically recognize you as the legal father. This legal status, called paternity, must be formally established before you can ask the court for custody or visitation rights.
There are a few ways to establish paternity in Tennessee. If both parents agree, you can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. This form is often completed at the hospital after birth, but can also be filed later with the state’s Office of Vital Records.
If the mother contests paternity or won’t sign the acknowledgment, you can petition the court for a paternity test. Once the court confirms biological fatherhood, you gain legal standing to pursue custody and visitation.
We help fathers through this process all the time. Establishing paternity is the first and most important step toward building your legal relationship with your child. Without it, the court cannot grant you any custody or visitation rights.
Child Custody and Visitation Rights
Once paternity is established, you can ask the court for a parenting plan that outlines custody and visitation. In Tennessee, custody decisions are based on what’s in the child’s best interest, not on a parent’s gender.
Fathers can and do receive joint or even primary custody when the facts support it.
The court will consider several factors when making custody decisions, including:
• The stability of each parent’s home
• Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs
• The relationship the child has with each parent
• Any history of abuse or neglect
As your legal team, we will help you present a complete and accurate picture of your role in your child’s life. Courts respond to fathers who show a commitment to parenting, cooperation, and providing a stable environment. Our trusted Franklin fathers’ rights attorneys will help you demonstrate all of that.
Visitation, or “parenting time,” is also part of the custody discussion. Even if the court awards primary custody to the mother, you have the right to meaningful and regular time with your child, unless the court finds that doing so would be harmful.
You deserve more than just alternate weekends. You deserve quality time that supports your bond.
Child Support Calculations and Modifications
Child support is another area where fathers often feel frustrated. Whether you’re paying or receiving support, the process can feel unclear. We help fathers understand how support is calculated and how to challenge unfair or outdated orders.
Tennessee uses a specific formula to calculate child support. It considers:
• Both parents’ income
• The number of children
• Parenting time allocation
• Healthcare and childcare costs
It’s not just about money. It’s about fairness. If you’ve lost your job, taken a pay cut, or your parenting time has increased, you may qualify for a modification. The court won’t make changes unless you ask and provide documentation.
At Durak Law, we help fathers file and defend child support modifications. Whether you need to reduce your payments or believe the other parent should contribute more, we’ll guide you through the process.
The state’s child support calculator helps estimate potential obligations.
How Our Franklin Fathers’ Rights Lawyers Can Help
Family law moves quickly, and emotions often run high. Without legal guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes that affect your rights and your relationship with your child. That’s why we focus our practice on supporting fathers at every step.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with our Franklin fathers’ rights attorneys:
We Handle the Legal System on Your Behalf
Filing petitions, responding to motions, and appearing in court are not everyday tasks for most people. We handle all of it for you. You don’t have to face the legal system alone or guess at what the judge wants to see.
We know how the courts operate and what local judges expect. Our experienced Franklin legal team prepares strong legal arguments backed by facts and Tennessee law. That means fewer surprises and better results.
We Advocate for Your Rights and Interests
Whether you want more parenting time, shared custody, or fair child support terms, we will fight for your interests in and out of court. Our role is to make sure your voice is heard and your child benefits from your involvement.
When needed, we will take your case to court and present evidence that supports your parenting rights.
We Negotiate Favorable Outcomes
Not every case needs a long trial. In many situations, we reach a fair agreement with the other parent through negotiation or mediation. This can save time, reduce stress, and result in better outcomes for everyone involved, especially your child.
Our fathers’ rights lawyers in Franklin will help you evaluate every offer. If it works in your favor, we’ll move forward. If not, we’ll continue fighting until we get the outcome you deserve.
We Offer Clear and Consistent Communication
You’ll never wonder where your case stands. We will keep you informed every step of the way and make sure your questions get answered. Whether you need to check on a court date or get clarity on legal terms, we’re here to explain everything in plain language.
That’s the kind of legal support every father deserves.
Talk to a Fathers’ Rights Lawyer Today
We understand how hard it can be to feel like your role as a father is being questioned or overlooked. You care about your child. You want to stay involved. And you want a fair chance to protect that bond.
At Durak Law, we help fathers in Franklin take action to assert their rights and secure their place in their child’s life. Whether you’re trying to establish paternity, negotiate custody, or challenge an unfair child support order, we’re ready to help.
We’ve stood beside fathers in courtrooms and at negotiation tables across Williamson County. We know what works and how to prepare a case that makes judges listen.
Your child needs you. Don’t wait until things spiral out of control. Call us at (629) 210-0866 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to protect your rights and your future as a father.
