If you are an unmarried father seeking visitation with your child or an unmarried mother who wants child support, you must first establish a legal father-child relationship through legitimation in the State of Georgia. In Georgia, a legal action to establish paternity of the biological father of the child is called a paternity action when filed by the mother and a legitimation action if filed by the father. Unless a child has been legitimized, the father may have no rights at all to the child, even if the father is named on the birth certificate.

Once the court establishes the father-child relationship, either parent may:

• Seek legal or physical custody of your child;
• Enjoy visitation, if you do not have joint physical custody over your child;
• Receive child support if appropriate;
• Have a right to object to a potential adoption of your child.

Please see our FAQs on legitimation, custody and child support for more information.

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My new office address is 291 Alexander Street, Marietta, GA 30060 and you may reach me at 770.426.1148.