Joint custody

is this different from joint custody?

SECTION 20-7-100. Rights and duties of parents in regard to their minor children.

The mother and father are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally charged with the welfare and education of their minor children and the care and management of the estates of their minor children; and the mother and father have equal power, rights, and duties, and neither parent has any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the custody of the minor or the control of the services or the earnings of the minor or any other matter affecting the minor. Each parent, whether the custodial or noncustodial parent of the child, has equal access and the same right to obtain all educational records and medical records of their minor children and the right to participate in their children's school activities unless prohibited by order of the court. Neither parent shall forcibly take a child from the guardianship of the parent legally entitled to custody of the child.

S.C. Code of Laws Title 20 Chapter 7 Children's Code - www.scstatehouse.net-LPITS

[tbyte]

Shared parenting and joint custody are usually the same thing. Different States use different terms.

So just being recognized as the legal father would give me the afore mentioned rights?

[Gbyte]

If there is a custody order (with that wording included) or you were married, likely yes.

[tbyte]

Being recognized as the legal father does not give you any rights at all. It merely establishes you as the biological (or in some cases, adoptive) parent.
You only have rights that are granted to you by a court.
What is your current status?