My girlfriend and I are currently 17 and she is pregnant. Ill be 18 in a couple weeks, about 3 months before the baby is born but she will not be 18 till late April of 2007. I was wandering if anyone knew what rights I have over the baby. Her parents often will say something about her being a minor and how they have the power to make all the decisions. I thought possibly since I am not going to be a minor when the baby is born that I may have some rights over the baby and some decision making power. Often I dont agree with things they say about what is going to happen and sometimes they make threats that I cant do anything. I reside in New Hampshire and Im not quite sure how the laws work here. Thanks to everyone who replies sincerley trying to help.
2006-08-30 19:12:16 · 11 answers · asked by Ray 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
If anyone has any additional questions please just send me a im at rayban988 on YIM or piratep2p on AIM. Thanks.
2006-08-30 19:43:45 · update #1
Her parents have NO POWER. In many states a girl is automatically considered an adult when she is either pregnant or when the baby is born. They cannot force her to give the baby up for adoption, or anything. You are the father and you have more rights than they do.
2006-08-30 19:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure she puts your last name on the birth certificate and have a D.N.A. test done when the baby is first born. If you are the father and you are of legal age to care for this child then there is nothing the parents can do except scare youto believe they actually have a say in the matter. If you both love eachother then you should look into getting married if she is the legal age to do that in your state. Or she could get emancipated (basically divorcing her parents.) That would ensure both of you that in no way possible can her parents keep you from the child or have any rights over the child. Keep in mind that it is always best to try and work things out by talking with them first, let them know that you are serious and hopefully that will show them some maturity on your part. If that isn't possible then you have every right in the world to hire an attorney and take things into your own hands.
2006-08-30 19:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure her parents can not do that. I hope your parents are supporting you in all of this, if it comes down to a fight a judge might look at how much assistance you will have when it comes to dealing with a baby. If I were you I would contact an attorney. I know they can be expensive, but most states have legal aid or something to that effect that provides free or very low cost legal services. Start seeing if you can find something like that in your area. I'm assuming you and your girlfriend are still together? She might be able to emancipate herself from her parents if that's something she would like to do, then she could get an apartment on her own or even move in with your family if they would let her. I hope things work out for you, lots of young men who get their girlfreinds pregnant don't step up to the plate and do the right thing, but it sounds like you want to. You fight for your rights and don't let anyone take your baby away from you or make decisions about your baby. This should only be between you and your girlfriend.
P.S.- How "in love" with your girlfriend are you? You are really too young to get married, but if you think you could make a marraige work then you might want to consider it. And please, get an education, having a baby does not mean that you can't go to college, in fact a lot of colleges will help you and some even have day care right on campus. Good Luck.
2006-08-30 19:35:52 · answer #3 · answered by nimo22 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the state, I live in Wisconsin and here at 17 the woman can make that decision as well. As hard as it is to say alot of judges favor the mother. It is unfortunate considering some people should ever think about raising a child.
Work with your girlfriend on it together. Unless she is a terrible mother dont take her away from her baby.
Your baby together I should say, but a mother holds a special bond. If she doesnt work, hurts the baby or abandons the baby seek the law. Dont ever let that happen.
good luck papa!
2006-08-30 20:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by natalie rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your the daddy you've all rights on your newborn as a mom does except your ill contained in the top or an extremely undesirable individual. see you later as your call is on the delivery certificate then you truthfully have criminal sharing custody of your newborn. i became 16 with my first and my mothers and fathers could not do a damn element about it. The regulation banded Granparent rights alongside time in the past. except the mummy is undeserving to look after the newborn or provide the right care you'll get complete custody of that child in the journey that your concern are precise, yet usually the courtroom supply the custody to the moms. which isn't precise because there are good fathers accessible which have childrens with undesirable moms even with the undeniable fact that the courts see it diverse. yet in case you do not stay mutually be a good guy a do each little thing for that child even with in case you in ordinary words see it everyother weekend. There are parenting plans accessible to. I were through all of it. good success and choose you the great along with your new infant, relish them even as they're youthful because they develop up thanks to quickly.
2016-12-06 00:46:47 · answer #5 · answered by atwater 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend contacting planned parenthood, they might be able to tell you the rights of pregnant and parenting teens in your state. If not they should be able to direct you to someone who can.
Teen parents do have rights, the mother as well as the father. In most states if not all states they have the same rights as adult parents. New Hampshire doesn't seem to have any emancipation laws from what I could find on-line, but she could also talk with legal aid and find out about emancipation and her rights and your rights as a parent.
2006-08-30 21:02:22 · answer #6 · answered by curls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I would check with legal services first. Look on Goggle for fathers rights issues in NH. As Long as you are not married the parents have some authority over her. If you were married it would be different, but I am not saying get married. That would be stupid... Just giving you some options. Check out your rights on the net. But you do have the right as a father but they (parents) also have rights, so it could be a court battle and that would be stupid too. So hand in there. Do research. Good Luck
2006-08-30 19:27:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as you have your name on the birth certificate then you have no worries. Her parents don't have any rights because she is not technically a minor anymore she is 17 in which they consider that of legal age in some states.
2006-08-30 20:01:52 · answer #8 · answered by butter_scotch84 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At age 17 the law considers her a legal adult so she'll have as much right to the decisions and raising of the child as you do. Why do you ask this?
2006-08-30 19:26:09 · answer #9 · answered by sofina_83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was 17 when I had my son, and my bf(now husband) was 20. Make sure she puts your name on the birth certificate. They should also give you a paternity form to sign, which says it's yours. Her parents have no say in the matter at all.
2006-08-30 19:38:54 · answer #10 · answered by ★Fetal☆ ★And ☆ ★Weeping☆ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋