Never married want joint or share custody

[grandmom]

What steps should a dad take for joint or shared custody of child if never married?

[Attorney Howard Iken]

That would require the filing of a Paternity case. It is similar to a divorce.

[grandmom]

Paternity case sounds like having to proof one is the biological father, what if, dad signed birth certificate, dad took responsibility before child was born and provided for mom and for unborn child with what was needed to welcome into the world and continues to.

Couple no longer together, they have agreed on child support, dad spends time with child saturdays and sundays but wants to spend more time with child and cannot because mother has final say if the baby will or will not visit on a certain weekend, she states because she is the mom is more like 80/20. Dad has no say in anything not even who babysits.

If the anwser is still paternity case how long does the process usually takes and approximately how much would it cost

[Attorney Howard Iken]

Yes, what you said is true. And sometimes paternity has already been established in some other way. But a Paternity case is not just about proving who is the bio dad. This sort of case also results in a parenting Plan - that will govern all the major parenting details of the child and both parents. The process is similar to a divorce. The cost really depends on how much help is needed, and how much kicking and screaming everyone plans. I suggest he comes in for a free initial consult. We try are best not to hypnotize people , and are willing to quote different cost alternatives.