Unmarried Fathers - Do You Know Your Rights?

Some of the most heartbreaking cases I've had are those of fathers not married to their child's mother and not realizing that they have to take steps to secure their legal rights to the child. In Georgia, an unmarried father has no rights to his child at all unless and until he either marries the mother and publicly claims the child as his own and gives the child his name or files a petition in court to legitimate the child. Until one of these two events happen, the mother has all parental control over the child and the father has no rights.

I have had several cases in which the unmarried parents of a child live together for a period of time as a family, and then the parents decide to separate. In Georgia, if the father has not legitimated his child, he has no rights and the mother legally can prevent the father from contact with the child. While this may seem morally wrong, it is legally permissible.

What can unmarried fathers in Georgia do in order to protect their rights? As soon as the child is born the father should file a petition to legitimate the child; he should do this regardless of whether he is living with the child's mother. If there is any doubt as to paternity, a DNA test should be completed prior to the filing of the legitimation petition.

Custody, parenting time (visitation), and child support can be addressed in a Georgia legitimation action. In Georgia an unmarried father of a child can secure his custodial rights (including parenting time) by filing a petition for legitimation; doing so will provide the father with custodial rights and a court-ordered parenting time schedule that the father may rely on even in periods of disagreement with the child's mother. Upon receiving an order of legitimation, the biological father of a child is recognized as the legal father and stands on the same legal footing as the mother in regard to custodial and parenting time rights.

In Georgia, there is a difference between being the biological father and the legal father of a child. Having the status of only the biological father does not provide the father with any rights. It does not matter if the father paid for the pregnancy and maternity care of the mother, was at the birth of the child, and signed the birth certificate. It does not matter if the parents lived together as a family with the child and the father supported the mother and child for several years. If the father does not marry the mother, the only means by which the father can have any legal rights to the child is to file a legitimation petition. A child who has been legitimated by his or her father may inherit from the father, whereas a child that has not been legitimated might not legally be able to inherit from the father; this is extremely important legal distinction that could have unintended or devastating consequences.

At a minimum, a biological father in Georgia should list his name on the putative father registry with the Department of Human Resources/Vital Records. By taking that act, the biological father can at least ensure that no legal action such as adoption can be taken by another party without notice to the father. A listing on the putative father registry does not provide legal rights as far as custody and parenting time, but it does prevent legal action regarding the child to be taken without notice to the father. In order to successfully object to any such legal action once he has notice, the father would likely have to follow through with a legitimation petition, but at least he will have the opportunity to protect his rights.

A biological fatherin Georgia does not have an absolute right to legitimate his child. It is possible for a father to lose his right to legitimate his child if he waits too long in order to procure his legal rights. There is no set time limit after which a father automatically loses his rights, but the longer the father goes without legitimating the child the higher the risk that he has abandoned his opportunity interest to develop a relationship with the child, and his legitimation petition could be denied.

An unmarried father in Georgia who wishes to have legal rights to his child and to stand on the same legal ground with the mother regarding custody and parenting time must file a legitimation petition, and should do so immediately after the child's birth regardless of his relationship with the mother or the fact that he might be living with and/or supporting the child. Biological fathers of children born out of wedlock should seek legal advice as soon as possible in order to protect their rights and make sure that they are legally able to maintain their relationship with the child.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Insurance Company Review

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has a number of top notch health care solutions for Arizona residents. Perhaps one of the most famous health insurance companies in the United States is Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The company itself was found in the year 1929 in the state of Texas. Nowadays it is estimated that 99 million Americans are members of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

This means that one out of three Americans s covered by perhaps the biggest insurance company in the entire country. Today the company has access to all 50 states of the nation with its well developed plans and services. Since Blue Cross and Blue Shield is comprised of 39 independent, community-based and local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies they each operate individually within their own state. It is known that the 39 independent entities represent the oldest and largest family of health benefit companies.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is no different than all the other states independent agencies. The entity on this state was founded on 1939, just ten years after the first independent BCBS was founded in the state of Texas. The company has main offices in the cities of Phoenix (headquarters), Tucson, Tempe and Flagstaff and is the place of work of an estimated 1500 employers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is given the A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent) because it provides great quality health care at an accessible price for their members and because it provides different plans that will perfectly meet the diverse population within the state. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is one of the first options for the residents of the state because not only does it do business, but it volunteers with about 200 organizations through out the state.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona as said before offers excellent plans that can be purchased by anyone. From high deductibles with low monthly premiums to no deductible and low out-of-pocket expenses which can guarantee you a little higher premiums BCBS has it all. Because they are independent health insurance agencies they make up their own health insurance plans that they think will be liked by the consumer.

Below you will find a detailed description of the six plans offered within the state with the rates you should expect to pay when using the services. It is also worth mentioning that the plans offer different deductible and different copays for each deductible so you can basically choose whichever deductible option you wish from within the plan itself.

1. BluePreferred Copay: This plan works within the Arizona Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network with a choice of you to visit providers of different networks. If you choose to follow the out of network path however, you will end up paying much higher than if you stick with the large PPO network. This plan offers deductibles of $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 for an individual per calendar year with the family deductible being double those prices. The co-insurance for this plan is 20%, which means you will have to pay 20% of what the bill is in case you use a service which requires co-insurance.

The doctor visits are different for each deductible category, but they range from $15 if you choose the plan with a $500 deductible; to $35 if you choose the $5,000 deductible. Pharmacy coverage is a little different within this state because instead of dividing the drugs into three tiers, BCBS of Arizona divides them into four levels. Level one drugs will cost you $15, level two will be $34, level three $65 and the with a level four drug you will have to pay $120.

Inpatient and outpatient hospital care is subject to the deductible first and then to the 20% co-insurance and the emergency room fee if you happen to go and are not admitted in is $150. Other inpatient care such as maternity care, behavioral and mental health, rehabilitation and home care would be 20% co-insurance after you pay the deductible and it's important to mention that preventive eye exams are covered by the plan and range from $15 to $35 depending on your deductible choice.

2. BluePreferred Saver: This plan also is part of the Arizona Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network and gives you the choice to go out-of-network for a higher rate. With these plan you will have the choice of three deductible options that will double if you have a family coverage; those options are $1.500, $2,600, and $5,000. The co-insurance of this plan once you meet your deductible is of 0%, which means that you will be able to go use the services for no cost at all. BCBS of Arizona will pay 100% of the bill in selected services if you meet your deductible.

This plan is pretty much self explanatory because for doctor visits, preventive care, lab services, prescription coverage, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, inpatient mental health, inpatient rehabilitation services, ambulance services and urgent care you won't have to pay a single dollar once you meet your deductible. You will pay $150 if you happen to go to the emergency room and are not admitted in before you pay your deductible, after you meet the deductible dollar amount however, this too is covered 100%. It is also worth mentioning that this plan is one of the two that BCBS of Arizona offers that is compatible with Health Savings Accounts.

3. BluePreferred Basic: This is another plan that operates within the Arizona PPO network but will give the member a chance to go out-of-network for a higher price. They have choices of $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 deductibles for individuals with family deductibles doubling those costs. For most covered services you will have to pay a 20% co-insurance after you meet the deductible option you selected, although a few services give you copay prices. For doctor visits they you will pay based on the deductible you selected, this means that if you selected a $1,500 dollar deductible you will pay $25, if you picked a $2,500 deductible your cost will be $30, for a $5000 deductible your rate will be $35 and for a person selecting the $10,000 deductible their doctor visits cost would be $40. Preventive services will not be counted towards the deductible so you will be allowed to pay 20% co-insurance from the start.

Prescription medications in this plan are divided only into generic drugs which you will pay $30 and brand name which you will pay $125. Other than those services all the other coverage which includes inpatient and inpatient care such as mental health services, rehabilitation services, skilled nursing facility and home care you will have to pay 20% co-insurance after meeting your deductible. The emergency room fee in this plan is $150 if you are not admitted and after meeting your deductible you will only have to pay 20% co-insurance.

4. BlueClassic: This type of coverage doesn't follow any network because it is an indemnity plan. This means that the plan gives the member more freedom to go use services under any other network, but the plan is a little bit more expensive. It gives choices of $250, $500, $750, $1;250, $2;500 and $5;000 for individuals, with family deductibles being double the individual levels. The co-insurance for most services is 20% after you meet the deductible of choice if the service involves a co-insurance. For doctor visits and preventive care you will have to pay full price until you meet your deductible and then the company will pay 80% while you pay 20%.

Prescription medications once again are divided into four levels with level one being $15, level two being $35, level three $65 and the most expensive is level four which will require you to pay $120. Lab services, inpatient care, outpatient care and urgent services are all subject to deductible and co-insurance, as well as maternity care, behavioral and mental services, rehab services, skilled nursing facility services and home health services. For an emergency room fee you will have to pay $150 at first and then its subject to deductible and co-insurance.

5. BlueClassic Saver: This is another indemnity plan that gives the customer more freedom when deciding to use the services. With these plan you will only have the choice of a $5,000 deductible for an individual, $10,000 for a family. This plan is also easy to describe because the co-insurance that BCBS of Arizona pays is 100% after you meet the deductible. This means that after you pay the $5,000 your services such as doctor visits, preventive care, lab services, inpatient care, outpatient care, urgent care, maternity care, behavioral and mental care, home health care, rehabilitation care and skilled nursing facility care will all be covered 100%. It is important to mention that this is the other plan that BCBS of Arizona has for people that want a plan compatible with their Health Savings Account.

6. BlueSelect: The BlueSelect plan is an Arizona Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) network plan in which the person will be asked to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and will need referrals in case they want to go ask for a second opinion or see a specialist. With Plan 2 you will not have a deductible and you will pay $25 to go see your PCP and $40 for other doctors. Pharmacy coverage is divided once again into four levels for which you will pay $15, $35, $65 and $120 respectively. You will pay $750 for admission to inpatient surgery and $200 for outpatient. The only difference with Plan 3 is that you are required to have a deductible of $1,000, doctor visits will be $30 for a PCP and $40 for specialist and inpatient care would be subject to deductible while outpatient would be $300.

Lima, Peru's Best Hospitals

Lima is the capital of the South American country called Peru (which lies in the northwestern region of the continent). The city is located in a valley that had been created by several rivers on a desert coast, meanwhile overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Peru attracts a large amount of tourists with its tropical forests in the Amazon Basin, its arid plains, and tall mountains peaks in the Andes range. Lima has a number of private clinics that offer high quality services and treatment.

The Clinic Javier Prado has been serving the people of the city since February of 1965. The hospital is situated at Ave. Javier Prade Este 499, San Isidro and the phone number for the hospital is 211-4141. It has an ISO 9001 accreditation, so you can expect good and reliable services at the hospital. In addition to this, it has professionals from 45 medical specialties as well as it also has other facilities (such as emergency care, intensive care units, inpatient care, and operating rooms). Also, the infrastructure at the hospital is quite modern.

Hospital Nacional General Arzobispo Loayza was founded by the very first archbishop of Peru in the 16th Century. The hospital was set up to provide medical care to the underprivileged; in the case that one has limited resources, this hospital is a good option for recieving medical aid. The hospital was modernized in the early 1900s and is now the biggest hospital in the country. It receives patients from all over Peru for treatment and diagnoses. The hospital has nice surroundings, modern infrastructure and continues to carry out research in various medical fields.

The Stella Maris Clinic is run by a congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It started operations in the year 1938. The clinic provides facilities for child and maternal care as well as surgical procedures - like advanced surgery for the heart and brain, kidney transplants, and others. The hospital's medical and paramedical staffs are highly qualified, the infrastructure is contemporary and the hospital also has a 24-hour/day emergency room.

Clinica El Golf is a private-run hospital; this group runs a number of clinics across the country. You can find qualified doctors and nurses at this hospital, many of whom have conducted their training in the United States and the United Kingdom. The clinic is outfitted with diagnostic facilities, maternity care, the newest medical equipment, and it offers outpatient care in nearly 130 specialties. Additional amenities at the hospital are round-the-clock emergency services, an intensive care unit, and advanced cardiac care. The address for this clinic is Ave. Aurelio Miro Quesada 1030, San Isidro.

Led by Dr. Jos矇 ?lvarez Blas, a group of doctors set up the St. Paul Clinic in August of 1991. The hospital was initially set up with the objective to provide specialized cardiac care; however, the hospital also has facilities for other medical treatments. The hospital is reputed to be one of the best private hospitals in the country, with six centers across Lima. This hospital provides high-quality services at reasonable prices. The hospital may be contacted at this number: 610-3222.?

Postpartum Depression - Does It Happen to Fathers, Too?

Postpartum depression in men has since long been dismissed as a myth, but most new fathers might heartily disagree. While it is true that women tend to be more depressed after childbirth owing to all the biological transformations they go through, it has lately been concluded that up to 11 percent of new fathers complain of depression after the baby has been born. Depression in new mothers is associated with the hormonal imbalance they go through during pregnancy and even after childbirth. While men have no such hormonal fluctuations, after the birth of a baby there is much that can render a father depressive.

If you have just become a father recently, and you have noticed slight withdrawal, stress, feelings of panic, loss of appetite and increasing irritability, you are most probably suffering from postpartum depression for men. Having a baby is a big step, not to mention a life-changing one. This on its own is enough to slow a man down for a while and make him panic. Most men complain of feeling pressurized for a while after the baby is born, for now they have to provide not only for a wife but also for a child. This additional responsibility takes a little long to come to terms with, and during this time new fathers feel upset and depressed. Another contributing factor is the lack of sleep. With a wailing infant who needs to be fed and changed eight times a night, the new parents are up most of the night. Lack of sleep is enough to stress anyone out after a day or two, making one cranky and unreasonable. And after a long night when the exhausted father heads to the office and finds himself unable to work or do much of anything, he more often than not succumbs to depression and a feeling of worthlessness. Not only this, after the birth of a baby, the mother is always occupied with the baby, for it is a full-time job. Many men may feel left out and lonely, having to fend for themselves all day while the wife is busy managing the baby.

Postpartum depression in new fathers is completely normal. What all men with symptoms of this depression should do is to focus on the sunny side of things and be patient for a while; the good times are just around the corner. If the symptoms seem severe and nothing helps, one should get help from a professional.

4 Reasons You Should Try Pregnancy Yoga

Pregnancy yoga uses poses that contribute to a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and provides health benefits for a pregnant mother and her baby during these physically demanding months. Prenatal yoga, another term used for pregnancy yoga, involves light stretching into poses that help increase flexibility, reduce tension, and relieve pain. It also strengthens muscles used for delivery and may lead to a better night's sleep. Prenatal yoga is simple to practice in the comfort of your own home, and is a safe, low-impact method of exercise.

Stress Reliever

Stress can be detrimental to the health of a developing fetus. The body produces hormones in response to stress. These hormones, such as cortisol, may reach the brain of a fetus and alter neurotransmitter activity. Researchers have found that this may increase the risk of attention deficit disorder, personality problems, and depression.

Exercise has been shown to help reduce stress, both during and after pregnancy. Practicing prenatal yoga for exercise during pregnancy offers the added benefit of focusing on the breath while quieting the mind. This promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and has been proven to effectively reduce blood pressure.

Sleep Enhancer

A California study found that women in their second trimester who begin a mindfulness-based yoga program--one that incorporates meditation with yoga poses--experience fewer awakenings during the night. Also, researchers in India found that after three months of prenatal yoga practice, pregnant women have elevated levels of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep cycles and improve feelings of well-being.

Baby Builder

Prenatal Yoga has been shown to contribute to a healthy birth weight. According to The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, it may also help to avoid delayed fetal growth. A study at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences found that regular yoga practice can improve a baby's heart health.

Exercise increases circulation, which delivers more oxygen to internal organs. For a pregnant woman, this means her baby is getting more oxygen, too.

Pain Reducer

A study that was published in the journal Midwifery found that women who participated in a prenatal yoga program reported fewer aches and pains than those who did not participate. Yoga also seemed to help them handle the pains of labor and delivery more effectively.

Many of the postures performed in prenatal yoga gently loosen the pelvic muscles in preparation for birth. This also helps relieve the tension and soreness that occurs as a result of weight gain and added pressure to the pelvic area.

Hiking to Health: Physical and Mental Benefits of Walking

Walking, hiking, rambling or roaming: whatever you call it - it's free, it's enjoyable, it takes you through some of the most scenic countryside on offer and it is good for your physical and mental health and well-being. Walking has long been recognised as a gentle yet extremely effective means of exercise, accessible to all ages and levels of fitness. Cardiovascular and calorie burning is only one part of the health benefits it offers. Explored here are some of the beneficial properties of putting on those hiking boots and getting you and little one outside.

Happy feet, happy heart

Walking has long been recognised as an aid in improving cardivosacular health, reducing blood pressure and decreasing the risk of heart disease. Even a short stroll each day can have major benefits and it is never too late to start. A study by New England Journal of Medicine found that walking was inversely related to coronary events with women walking 3 or more hours a week at a brisk pace were 30-40% less at risk. The study also showed that sedentary women who became active later in life also reduced their risk of heart related illness compared to other women who remained sedentary - so get those boots on ladies! Men too can benefit, with the Honolulu Heart Study showing that mortality rates of non-smoking retired men who walked 2 miles (3.2km) or more a day were half that of those who walked less than 1 mile (1.6km) (New England Journal of Medicine, Jan 8th, 1998)

Fighting fit

Walking has been linked to reductions in diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. A study carried out at University of Glasgow suggested that 30 minutes of walking a day could significantly reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, with a high level of physical activity associated with a 20-30% reduction in the risk of developing the disease. '(Physical activity and the prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus'; Gill & Cooper;Sport Medicine, 1st October 2008). The World Cancer Research Fund recommends the equivalent of 30 minutes brisk walking a day in order to help reduce incidences of cancer, with greater length of exercising yielding greater benefits. They have found convincing evidence that increased activity reduces the risk of colon cancer and probable evidence that it has an impact on reducing breast and endometrial cancer. Getting walking also helps in the fight against osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises like walking, helps produce an increase in bone mass, with Dr Rozental of Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre recommending 20-30 minutes of walking 3 times a week to help maintain good levels of bone density. Walking outside also helps boost levels of Vitamin D - itself linked to playing a role in the prevention of a large number of major diseases.

Get out in the green to beat the blues

How many times do you hear people say they need to get out for some fresh air to clear their thoughts? Walking has an undeniable therapeutic effect on the mind. Research backs this up with those staying active benefiting from reduced depression and anxiety and an increased sense of well-being. 'Ecotherapy: The green agenda for mental health' (Mind, 2007) report looked at the effect of green exercise such as walking and gardening on mental well-being. 94% of participants in the study reported an increased feeling of well-being after taking part in green exercise, with 90% of participants commenting that the combination of exercise with the natural environment was important in determining how they felt. A further 71% reported feeling a decrease in depression after walking through a country park, 90% said they felt increased self-esteem and 88% felt an overall improvement in their mood after the walk. The Mental Health Foundation even promotes the use of gentle exercise as the equivalent of a mild anti-depressant in treating depression, as set out in their information leaflet 'Up and running' (MHF, July 2005).

Spice up your sex life with a stroll through the fields!

No - this is not a recommendation to heat things up al fresco but you may be interested to know that research indicates that walking by day can liven up the bedroom by night! A nine year study of 600 men undertaken by Dr Irwin Goldstein of Boston University School of Medicine showed that those men who continued exercising or started exercising from middle age reduced the risk of impotence. Unlike smoking, alcohol consumption and other factors, it is never too late for men to benefit from increased exercise with Dr Goldstein's study suggesting an invigorating 2 mile walk a day would go a long way to prolonging men's sexual life. Numerous other studies also reinforce the link between exercise and sexual health and activity, with factors such as improved energy, circulation, and feeling good about yourself all resulting from exercise and boosting sexual activity.

Still not hit that hiking trail yet?

As if all the above were not reason enough to grab your coat and your baby and head out that door, walking is also fantastic postnatal exercise. It is gentle enough to ease postnatal ladies gently back into exercise whilst at the same time helping to lift spirits and provide increased mental well-being. The existence of parent and baby walking groups also plays an important part in helping form support networks for new parents and an outlet for sharing experiences and socialising. Walking is also great for baby. The great outdoor helps to stimulate the senses. Social contact with others can help to speed along speech and other social development and any parent can attest to a good walk helping to settle a restless baby! Walking also helps increase baby's levels of vitamin D - an important factor in their development and qualitative research has shown that parents feel taking children out for a walk regularly can reduce crying and moody behaviour. Whatever you call it, the health benefits of walking and hiking are undeniable for all ages.

What Are the Risks of Anxiety During Pregnancy?

Many women believe that pregnancy is the key to ultimate happiness; bringing a newborn child into the world is simply incomparable. This is in fact the same reason why a newborn is called a bundle of joy. However, contrary to what most people think, pregnancy is not all about happiness and excitement.

Likewise, the danger of bearing a child is not limited to physical attributes but may even be more dangerous on the emotional and mental levels. As pregnant women are delicate and susceptible to aggravation, anxiety finds its way to change how a woman thinks and things may turn ugly if getting rid of anxiety during pregnancy is not dealt with seriously.

Postpartum depression, a clinical term for postnatal depression, is said to arise from anxiety within the nine months of carrying a child. It strikes the most after giving birth but as opposed to what experts believed a few years back, it starts to build up as the hormonal changes happens inside the body. Affecting 10 percent of the population, this is a serious thing especially if it leads to the death of the mother or the baby or both. There are recorded cases of suicide right after giving birth not because of heavy problems but solely due to the feeling of anxiety, depression and confusion, all in one. Some reported cases also show mothers killing their babies intentionally although the thought would turn horrible for them as soon as their hormone levels normalized. Without proper attention, anxiety in pregnant women could turn tragic.