Under Georgia Law, a Father must file a Petition for Legitimation to establish legal paternal rights to a child born out of wedlock.
Once a child has been legitimated the Father can then Petition the court to establish custodial/ visitation as well as a child support determination.
A Mother or Father of a child born our of wedlock can petition the court for Legitimation of their minor child. Until a court of competent jurisdiction signs of the child is legitimized, the Father has no legal rights to the minor child nor can the child inherit from their Father.
A Legitimation action typically encompasses child custody and child support as well.
A Legitimation action may be contested or uncontested.
Learn more about child support cases.
Learn more about child custody cases.