A. Constitutional Rights


		A. Constitutional Rights

Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406

U.S.

205 (1972)

A married father has constitutionally protected parental rights. Like the mother, he has a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of his child.

Quilloin v. Walcott, 434 U.S. 246 (1979); Stanley v. Illinois, 405

U.S.

645 (1972)

An unmarried father involved in his child’s life also has these rights.

Caban v. Mohammed, 441

U.S.

380 (1979)

If an unmarried father lives with, supports and maintains regular contact with his child, and holds himself out as the child’s father, he has the same rights as a married father. An unmarried father with no substantial relationship does not have rights.

Lehr v. Robertson, 463 U.S. 248 (1983)
Michael H. v. Gerald D., 491

U.S.

110 (1989)

If an unmarried father does not live with, support, or see the child and does not seek to establish paternity within a reasonable time after the child’s birth, he does not have constitutionally protected parental rights.