Single Moms in Georgia

What financial help can I get as a single parent?

What help is available to a single mother?

At Meriwether & Tharp, we understand that while raising children is challenging, raising children as a single mother can be even more difficult. The goal of this page is to provide access to resources and information regarding the legal rights of single mothers in Georgia.

Legal Remedies for Single Mothers

Who has legal rights to child born out of wedlock?

In Georgia, until a father files a Petition for Legitimation, only the mother has legal rights to a child born outside of a marriage. Through Legitimation, a father may establish child support, custody, visitation, and a legally recognized relationship with the child.

Does an unmarried mother have sole custody in Georgia?

Yes. If a child is born out of wedlock, Georgia law requires the father to file a Petition for Legitimation to legally establish a relationship with his child.

Does signing a birth certificate establish paternity in Georgia?

No. Where the mother and the father were never married, the mother of the child may obtain an Order establishing the paternity of the child and the father's child support obligation.

Even if the father's name is on the child's birth certificate, the father will need to file a Legitimation action in order to establish legal rights to a child born outside a marriage.

What is Paternity?

A Paternity action is a legal action filed by an unmarried mother in order to legally establish paternity of the child and the father's child support obligation.

What programs are available to assist single mothers in Georgia?

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Additional Resources

You've got questions, Meriwether & Tharp is here with the answers you need. Feel free to read more about related topics.

Paternity

Child Support

Legitimation

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