LEGITIMATION
Is the LEGAL action that is the ONLY way, other than by marrying the mother of a child, that the biological father of a child born in the State of Georgia may establish rights to his child.
WHO MAY FILE FOR LEGITIMATION?
Only the biological father of a child may file a petition seeking to legitimate his child.
EFFECT OF LEGITIMATION
Creates a father and child relationship LEGALLY between the petitioner and his child.
There are so many men that getting messed over by the system because of the lack of knowledge of how it works. See, men it is sad that our being trusting has been turned against us. In you mind, you may have thought. Thats my babies mom right there. So everything is cool, WRONG. Even if the relationship is going good, STILL go and get your rights!! You put your time in to help get that child here. So you DESERVE to be able to see your child whenever you want too.
For a woman to fix her mind to take that away from you, is totally selfish. She is taking a God given right away from a child, that she loves oh so much. Then we wonder why the daughters are growing up with that funky attitude towards men. Or not knowing how to deal with a man. Because the man is not in her life. Or wonder why the boys don't know how to be men, because of the father not being there. The boys end up in jail, or prison. Because they have no respect for authority. So men, it is IMPORTANT that you act, and act NOW on this. Well men, you are in luck today. Here is some more helpful information. In the state of Georgia.
The basic filing fee is $65.00. If the mother has not signed a consent and/or waiver of jurisdiction form, she will need to be served with the petition by the sheriff--this costs $25.00 for each address to which the sheriff has to go if you are in the State of Georgia. If you are out of the state and want the sheriff to serve the mother, the cost is $28.00. ["Service" is an official way to give notice to the mother, and other people involved with your case, that you have filed your case and that they have the opportunity to then file a response with the court.]
If the mother has left the child with you and you do not know her address and you have tried but cannot find her, then you will have to serve her with the Petition by Publication. This means that the petition is written up and then published in the official county newspaper for the county in which you knew she last lived. This costs at least $80.00.
If the mother was married to someone else when your child was born, or she has listed someone else on your child's birth certificate as the Father of the child you will also have to pay $25.00 (if you are in the state of Georgia) or $28.00 (if you are out of the state) to have the Sheriff serve that person with a copy of the Petition. If you don't know where that person lives, he will also have to be served by Publication.
So men, now that you have this information. All you have to do now, is ACT on it!! Once you do go through with it. Keep all of you paperwork to show your child what you had to go through just so you can lay eyes on them. Do it men, simply because.....its your right.