There are many benefits to being legally recognized as the parent of a child. In Minnesota, an unmarried father can voluntary sign a Recognition of Parentage (ROP) with his child’s mother, or establish paternity through family court. Upon recognition or adjudication of legal parentage, a father has the right to seek custody and parenting time through family court, and be legally obligated to pay child support to the child’s mother.
Some parents who do not have lawful immigration status may hesitate to complete paperwork or navigate the court system out of fear of contact with...
