When it comes to fathers’ rights there are a litany of concerns. A father has rights to be a parent. This means time to spend with their child and a visitation schedule that is fair to everyone involved. However, it does not just end with just actual physical time with a child, as fathers should also have a say in medical decisions affecting their children.
Currently in the U.S., less than 18 percent of those parents with custody of their children are fathers. Of course on first look, this percentage can look rather intimidating for the father who wants custody. However, it should be noted that the courts are no longer as favoring when it comes to mothers.
This being said, during the divorce process fathers can find themselves in tough situations when it comes to being able to have a say in medical decisions, especially until custody is established. One father recently shared his story about when his soon-to-be ex-wife had gone ahead and made medical decisions concerning their child without first consulting him. One of those decisions was implementing a do-not-resuscitate order.
Concerned about this decision the father immediately went to the doctor saying he wanted the order gone; bringing up the fact that he has legal rights and was never consulted on the decision beforehand.
Medical decisions are also just some of the many ways in which fathers want — and deserve — to have a say. This is why it’s important to talk with a family law attorney with experience handling fathers’ rights in order to know exactly what those rights are and how to fight for them.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Divorced Dads’ Rights: Father Fights For Say In Son’s DNR Order, Access to Medical Records,” Oct. 6, 2012
