Paternity is the legal term for fatherhood. This lawfully designates a person as the child’s father, which can provide the mother, father, and child with many benefits. Not only does everyone involved get peace of mind and full knowledge on the matter, but the child and father each acquire their own set of legal advantages. The child can receive child support, an inheritance, medical and life insurance benefits, social security benefits, and veterans’ benefits when applicable. Fathers receive legal rights to be involved in the child's life and the opportunity to build a relationship with them that they may not have had otherwise. Establishing paternity is crucial, and it is important to understand how to do so in your unique situation.

Presumed Paternity

This is the most common way to establish paternity. In some situations, the father of the child is presumed based on the parents’ circumstances. There are four situations that warrant this assumption:

As in every state, domestic abuse is a crime to which many Texans become victims. According to the National Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than one in three women and more than one in four men have been victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner in their lifetimes. Although 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women, men do not escape this type of violence. It is important to know the types of abuse and the options available to those victims looking for help.

Types of Abuse

When people think of abuse, they often imagine physical altercations. While this is common, there are many other forms of abuse, aside from physical harm, that individuals endure from their loved ones.

The divorce process is filled with its fair share of trials and tribulations. You first must come to the decision that divorce is you and your spouse’s best option, followed by hiring an experienced divorce attorney to represent you. Finally, you will have to make difficult decisions about your future.

When children are involved, emotions often complicate matters. Not only will your parenting arrangements change, but you will also be subject to receiving or paying child support. Many parents find the parenting adjustment to be the most difficult part of divorce as it differs significantly from what they have done since their child was born. Understanding how child custody, or conservatorship, works in Texas is important for preparing yourself for the custody determination process.

Deciding to adopt a child is life-changing for both you and your future child. Your family grows in size, and you can learn from your new child’s background and life experiences. Many adoptive parents already have an “adoption plan” in their head when they decide to take this journey. They may have an idea of the preferred gender, race, or birth location of their new family member. However, it is still important to research the different types of adoption before deciding which one is best for you. In some cases, finances and convenience take priority, while in others, adopting from a particular culture may play a bigger role. Regardless, future parents should put their preconceived notions aside and explore every avenue available to them before committing to one type of adoption over another.

The Different Types of Adoption

Various types of adoption are available to those who wish to expand their family in this manner. Many people have a general understanding of the different types of adoption, but some may not recognize the different benefits that come with each one.

The easiest and most common way to file for an immigration visa is through family sponsorship. You may have heard of “green card weddings,” which refers to people who get married solely to become a legal resident of the United States. While cases like these do exist, this is far from the norm. Having a relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can greatly increase your chances of being approved for a visa.

Two Categories of Visas

There are two types of family-based immigrant visas, and applicants who wish to use this way of securing citizenship must fall into one of these two groups. An unlimited number of Immediate Relative (IR) visas are available. An immigrant must be classified as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen to qualify. These visa types include: