Are you curious about what happens if an absent father now wants contact? If you are a parent dealing with an absent father who has recently shown interest in being part of your child’s life, there are several important considerations to keep in mind when deciding what the best course of action is.
Understanding both their rights and obligations under the law will help them make an informed choice about how to proceed. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some key things for parents and abandoned children to consider if the absent father now wants contact.
Understanding the Legalities of Contact from an Absent Father
Before figuring out what happens if an absent father now wants contact, it’s important to understand the legalities of his contact. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the case, the legalities of contact from an absent father will vary.
In most cases, the mother has primary custody, and the father must file a petition for visitation or custody rights. The court will consider the father’s relationship with the child, his ability to provide for the child’s needs, and any past actions that may affect the child’s well-being.

If the father is not listed on the child’s birth certificate, he may be required to establish paternity prior to pursuing visitation or custody rights. In cases where the father has a history of abuse or neglect, the court may limit or deny his contact with the child to ensure the child’s safety.
What Happens If an Absent Father Now Wants Contact with Illegal Reasons?
If an absent father now wants contact with a child for illegal reasons, such as evading child support obligations, using the child as a pawn in a custody battle, or engaging in abusive behavior, the court may deny or limit his contact with the child.
In such circumstances, it is essential to consult with an experienced family law attorney who can explain your legal rights and options. The court will prioritize the child’s safety and well-being in light of the child’s best interests.

If the father has a child abuse or neglect history, the court may order supervised visitation or deny all contact. If an absent father now wants contact with a child for illegal reasons, such as child abuse or neglect, he may face criminal charges and additional restrictions on his contact with the child.
What Happens If an Absent Father Now Wants Contact with Legal Reasons?
If an absent father now wants contact with a child for legal reasons, such as to establish a relationship with the child or to take an active role in the child’s upbringing, he may petition the court for visitation or custody rights.
When deciding whether to grant the father’s request, the court will take into account the best interests of the child, the father’s relationship with the child, the father’s capacity to meet the child’s needs, and any worries about the father’s actions or past behavior that might have an impact on the welfare of the child.

The father may be granted visitation or custody rights and a parenting plan outlining his responsibilities and the terms of his contact with the child if the court determines that the absent father now wants contact with the child for legal reasons.
Preparing for Potential Reunions with an Absent Father
In case the absent father now wants contact for legal reasons, which you can’t deny, I think there should be a well-prepared reunion! It can be difficult, both emotionally and practically, to get ready for a possible reunion with a father who has been absent.
- Seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor is crucial for dealing with the range of feelings that may surface.
- Boundaries with the father should be established, as should a support network, the possibility of legal action, and self-care.
- An attorney specializing in family law can advise you on your legal options, such as establishing paternity and getting a custody or visitation order from the court.

Keep in mind that going through this process can be emotionally draining, so making time for self-care and reaching out for help are essential.
Tips on Communicating with an Absent Father
This blog post has presented all about what happens if an absent father now wants contact for both illegal and legal reasons. Communicating with an absent father can be challenging as they have not communicated for a long time, but here are some tips that can help:
- It’s important to be straightforward and honest about your expectations and limits when communicating with a father who is absent from your life.
- Since talking to the dad is a two-way street, you should pay attention to what he says.
- Put yourself in the father’s position and see things from his perspective.
- A mediator or family therapist can act as a neutral third party to help those involved in a dispute talk to one another if communication is particularly tense.

Conclusion
Now that you know what happens if an absent father now wants contact for both illegal and legal reasons. By reading this blog post by Janet McCullar, you should remember that communication with an absent father can be challenging, but it is an important step towards building a stronger relationship.
FAQs on an Absent Father Now Wants Contact
How can the absent father initiate communication?
The absent father can seek visitation or custody rights from the court, or even establish paternity.
Will the court consider the absent father’s request for contact?
The court will think about things like what’s best for the child, how the father and child interact, whether the father can financially support the child, and whether there are any concerns about the father’s behavior or past actions that could have an impact on the child’s welfare.
After a long absence, can an absent father now wants contact his child?
After a long separation, a father has the right to petition for visitation rights with his child.
Can a mother forbid the absent father from seeing her child?
The mother has no right to refuse visitation or custody to the father if he is legally entitled to it. The mother can ask the court to change the visitation or custody arrangement if she is worried about the child’s safety because of the father’s behavior or past actions.
If the father hasn’t seen his child in a long time, what happens?
Until a relationship is established, the court may order supervised visitation or other restrictions on the father’s contact with the child out of concern for the child’s best interests. However, the father can still file a petition for visitation or custody rights.
But what if the dad is in another city, state, or even country?
The court will need to establish jurisdiction in order to make custody and visitation determinations if the father lives in another country.
If the absent father has custody or visitation rights, must he pay child support?
If the absent father is granted visitation or custody, he can be held legally responsible for child support payments.
Can the absent father now wants contact with child after drug abuse?
Yes, an absent father who has a history of drug abuse can still request contact with his child, but the court may order drug testing or other restrictions on his contact to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
What if there is a history of abuse or neglect on the father’s part?
In order to ensure the child’s safety, the court may restrict or prohibit the father’s visitation rights if he has a history of abusing or neglecting the child.
Can the child choose to cut off all communication with the absent father?
The court may give weight to a child’s preferences if the child is of legal age and of sufficient maturity to make decisions on their own.Â