A friend and I were just discussing what to do about her pregnancy because the father of her baby is scum and a user. When she told him she was pregnant he didn't want anything to do with her and then he said he was going to terminate his parental rights so he didn't have to pay child support. Is it true that he can give up his rights and not have to pay any amount of child support? Don't get me wrong this guy used to be a friend of mine as well but with his using he became very stubborn and selfish and this sitution has just pushed things over the edge. Can he get away with not having to pay anything at all by terminating his parental rights?
2006-08-09 15:59:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I'm not sure but it does vary by state. Here in Texas, I believe that he can terminate his rights but still has to pay child support. He just would have no visitation rights, no rights to the child what-so-ever.
My advice is to get a lawyer and do some research...Don't forget to have him take a paternity test. If he won't do it willingly a judge can force him to.
GOOD LUCK!!
2006-08-09 16:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by American Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can relinquish his claim on his child, however he is still legally responsible to help support it. It may have to go all the way to a legal battle with paternity testing and everything, but your friend shouldn't let that scare her.
The state you're living is will probably have a child support task force established (most states do it through the Attorney General's office) or contact a welfare office and ask about it.
No matter what, pursue this matter - if he does it to her and gets away with it, he'll probably do it to some other unsuspecting girl.
2006-08-09 23:33:11 · answer #2 · answered by Brutally Honest 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will still have to pay child support. The courts always look at the best interest of the child. He can terminate whatever he wants, but until your friend agrees, I doubt that the courts would leave him off the hook. If he's using, does he even have a job? I wish your friend the best of luck.
2006-08-09 23:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by packermama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom went thru this when she divorced my dad. He terminated his rights.. she signed a paper saying he didn't have to pay child support.. and even with that, he was still arrested for not paying.. she had to go to court to get him out of going to jail.. she didn't want his money. So no, he is legally obligated to pay. Make sure she files.
2006-08-09 23:27:00 · answer #4 · answered by rccola1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If ordered by the courts, he will owe child support until the baby becomes an adult. Collecting the child support will likely be very difficult though, especially if he doesn't work, or has very little income.
2006-08-09 23:09:27 · answer #5 · answered by Sim S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can terminate his parental rights, but he can't terminate his legal responsibility. She may have to have him subpoenaed to get a dna sample to prove paternity, but once a judge sees the results, he's stuck financially for the next 18 years.
2006-08-09 23:05:44 · answer #6 · answered by RepoMan18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋