During the past 40 years the number of children born to unmarried parents has grown dramatically. Putative fathers (the alleged, named, or reputed biological father) of children born out of marriage have historically been given few rights when it comes to the wellbeing and upbringing of their children. Things have been changing in this area and putative fathers have challenged the termination of their parental rights when their child has been placed for adoption. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed putative father’s constitutional protection of parental rights when the father has established a substantial relationship with his child. A substantial … Continue reading →