Many unmarried fathers in Indiana assume they automatically have rights to custody or parenting time with their child. However, under Indiana law, a father must establish paternity before seeking custody or visitation rights.

Parental alienation occurs when one parent intentionally damages or interferes with the relationship between a child and the other parent. Fathers in Indiana often face this issue when an ex-partner limits parenting time, makes false accusations, or manipulates the child’s perception of them.

Many fathers believe that the court system is biased in favor of mothers in custody cases. While Indiana law does not automatically favor one parent over the other, outdated assumptions can still play a role in how custody is decided. Fathers often face challenges proving they are equal caregivers and that they deserve joint or even primary custody.