For many Montgomery dads, their children are the most important part of their lives. The unconditional love between a father and his child is something that no one can disrupt but can be hindered by the divorce process. Many dads are finding their father’s rights stolen after a harsh divorce. With nearly half of marriages ending in divorce, numerous fathers are worried about child custody and losing the right to see their kids.
Traditionally, men were considered to be the breadwinners, working long hours while women stayed at home watching the kids. Often times, a divorce would result in the mother being granted full custody while the father would have to work and pay child support. Luckily, this is no longer the case for a majority of divorces. In recent times, child custody and father’s rights have shifted toward a more equitable distribution of time between parents, or joint custody.
The number one concern for many parents going through divorce is the welfare and future of their kids. Having a father or mother figure removed from a child’s life is often avoided in today’s courts. However, if one of the spouses is abusive or negligent, courts will usually award primary custody to the more responsible and appropriate parent. However, when both parents are equally responsible, custody may be 50/50. In the end, judges will often encourage a plan that is in the best interest of the children, which can involve equal custody between parents. For many fathers, this is not the case. Some dads across the state are subjected to brief visitations or no meaningful access at all.
For any Montgomery dad who has had his paternal rights abused or neglected may fight to have his rights restored. Restoring a father’s relationship with his child is something many find worth fighting for.
Source: The Star, “Equal rights for child custody fathers,” April 16, 2013