On behalf of The Law Offices of Mary Ann Beaty, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

When questions or disputes arise over whether a man is the father of a particular child, emotions can understandably run high. Especially when the child is a baby, a lot is riding on his or her paternity, from child support to child custody arrangements. That’s all to say nothing of a father’s love and pride for his child.

One recent case that highlights the importance of fathers’ rights for our Dallas readers involved an NBA star from a Midwestern team. His daughter was born last spring to an East Coast woman. However, legal disputes began almost immediately over the little girl’s paternity and what was in the best interest of the child regarding custody.

Now, the basketball player’s legal representative has announced a settlement of the action. According to the settlement, both parents will have equal roles in their daughter’s upbringing. The mother will relocate from her family home to be closer to the father, allowing for easier visitation. The financial details were not revealed, besides acknowledgement of a “generous” settlement and child support agreement.

Sometimes it is necessary for fathers to press for their legal rights in court. When this is the case, a legal professional will help identify what a father can expect, both in terms of benefits and responsibilities, and can advance a father’s claim through the legal process. On the other hand, it’s fortunate when parents of a child are able to reach a mediated settlement, as it’s possible for a court order to leave neither side completely satisfied.

We’ll take a look at mediating child custody disputes in a follow-up post. Legal professionals are available to pursue either approach in order to protect and uphold a father’s rights and interests.

Source: Business 2 Community, “Paul George Settles Paternity Suit Involving Infant Daughter,” Glenn Minnis, Nov. 27, 2014