Q: I would like to know the custody laws for unmarried parents in the state of Tennessee
A:
36-2-303. Custody with mother absent an order of custody.
Absent an order of custody to the contrary, custody of a child born out of wedlock is with the mother.
Short answer
Until a father actually seeks to be recognized as the legal father and demands parenting time, his custodial rights are limited. This does not lessen his duty to pay child support. Paying support does not, by itself, provide any privileges to the father. This business about she won't let me say my baby so I ain't paying support doesn't fly. A father has to stand up and take an assertive and responsible role in parenting, and if he does, he can theoretically can spend just as much time with the child as mother does, and enjoy the same opportunities to be a parent. Children do so much better in life if they have both parents in their lives. Its just that simple.
Leonard Robert Grefseng agrees with this answer
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
