Patricia Bone O'Neill

Grandparents and Unmarried Parents

Helping Unmarried Parents with Child Custody, Visitation and Support Issues When the father of a child is not married to the child's mother and there has never been a judgment of parentage, the father is not legally considered a parent. He has no parental rights and no expectation of constitutional rights to parent the child. I help fathers who are interested in filing parentage actions. A judgment of parentage establishes legal paternity and can result in responsibility for child support. The father may also be granted child custody and visitation. Most new fathers and those who have built up a substantial relationship with the child over time are in a position to obtain a legal parentage judgment. Filing a parentage action is the first step toward protecting your rights as a father and your relationship with your child.

Fresno and Madera County Guardianship Lawyer Patricia Bone O'Neill

My law firm provides legal help to people such as grandparents and others with non-traditional family situations involving the children in their lives. If you are a grandparent who has a concern about the environment your grandchild is living in, or if you are an unmarried parent with a question about parental rights, I can help.

A family law attorney for more than a decade, I am well versed in the legal issues presented by non-traditional or problematic family situations. If you are interested in learning about protecting your rights and those of your children, call me at (559) 221-1101 for a low-cost consultation. Or, contact me by e-mail and someone will be in touch with you promptly.

Establishing a Guardianship when Children Are in Danger

Parents' constitutional right to parent their own children can only be overridden if the children's rights to safety and security are in danger. For grandparents who have pressing concerns about their grandchildren's safety and security, options are available.

Guardianship is legal custody that is granted by the probate court. Guardians can made decisions about education, religion, medical care and, in some situations, receive child support.

Grandparents and other family members may need to step in and obtain a guardianship over the children if their parents use drugs, are in jail, are involved in gang activity, or are otherwise contributing to an unsafe environment.

To obtain guardianship over a child, the following must be shown:

• That it is detrimental to the child to be with either parent.
• That it is in the best interest of the child to be with the proposed guardian.

If you are interested in learning more about filing a parentage action, please contact me by e-mail to set up an appointment, or call (559) 221-1101 for a low-cost consultation.

Patricia Bone O'Neill, Attorney at Law

600 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 440
Fresno, CA 93704
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Phone: (559) 221-1101 | Fax: (559) 221-1105

Fresno family law attorney Patricia Bone O'Neill represents individuals and families throughout Fresno County and Madeira County in communities such as Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Sanger, Selma, Shaver Lake, Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Coalinga, Reedley and Chowchilla.