Guiding You Through The Challenges That Unmarried Parents Face

Today, many mothers and fathers are raising children while single. Child custody and other family law issues can be very different for parents who are married and parents who are not.

If you and your child’s other parent are no longer together, Herbert Machnik Law Firm can guide you through the many legal complications you may face. Serving Kalamazoo and the surrounding communities, our lawyers take a big-picture approach to solving our clients’ problems and meeting their goals.

You can come to us for counsel regarding:

• Child custody
• Parenting time (visitation)
• Establishing paternity
• Child support
• Modifications to court orders

There is nothing more important than your child. And when it comes to issues where parents might disagree, emotions can run high. We provide objectivity and honesty regarding highly charged family law legal topics. Along the way, we make sure to explain your rights and provide a cost-benefit analysis.

Paternity In Michigan: What To Know

Paternity is when the state legally considers a man the father of a child. When a baby is born, the state automatically grants maternity to the woman who gave birth. It also automatically grants paternity to the woman’s husband if the couple is married. However, if you are unmarried, you may need to establish paternity by signing the birth certificate, signing a voluntary declaration of paternity or ordering a paternity test.

Why do you need to establish paternity? Because the biological father may not have the right to custody and parenting time until the court has established paternity. Neither parent has the right to child support until they have established paternity.

Reach Out To A Caring Legal Team Today

If you are a parent who is facing a complex legal road, Herbert Machnik Law Firm is by your side. Contact us at our Kalamazoo law office for cohesive, compassionate representation. To begin, please call 269-948-7600 or send us an email.