Underage pregnancy in Wisconsin?

Question

If a 20 year old got a 17 year old pregnant, what would be the legal issues he would have? The parents of the 17 yo will probly want to sue him, but she will be 18 by the time she has the baby. Will there be any legal problems?

Answer 1

Since the woman will be 18 before the birth of the child, there is not much the parents can do--providing the young woman was a willing participant. The 20 year old however can be held responsible for birth costs (there is a cap), genetic testing costs if he chooses to challenge the paternity and will be ordered to pay child support.

http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwd/publications/dws/child_support/dwsc_770_p.htm

Answer 2

A closer look at your rights and responsibilities.
There is a lot of advice out there for girls who find themselves facing an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy but there is very little information out there for guys. It takes two to make a baby but all too often when the pregnancy is announced the guy gets lost in the confusion. But teen fatherhood is not something to be taken lightly and along with responsibilities to the mother and the child you have rights that you need to know about.
What are your rights as a prospective father?
First and foremost you have the right to know for sure that you are the father. This is not only a right you have but it is a right that the unborn child is entitled to as well. While everyone is mixed up in the emotionally charged circumstances surrounding an unwanted pregnancy it is often overlooked or downplayed that both father and child have a right to know the truth about paternity.
Understandably a pregnant girl may be upset when the subject of DNA testing comes up but it is not something you should ever feel guilty about requesting. You are not calling her sexual conduct in to question by wanting to know for sure that you are the father. You are not suggesting that she is bad or a liar. You are simply exercising your right to know for sure that you are the father and this is important because fatherhood is a life long commitment.
If you are the father you have the right to know your child and to participate in your child’s life. You have rights of custody and access. You also have responsibilities. You have the responsibility to financially and emotionally care for your child. You have a responsibility to be present in your child’s life and ensure that your child’s needs are met. You have the responsibility to ensure that your child is safe and well cared for and is free from harm. You have the responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of your child. More on rights and responsibilities later, first let’s look at the most important thing every prospective father needs to know about… how to know if they are really the father.
How can you know if you are the father?
There are two ways to determine if you are the father, blood type matching and DNA testing. Blood type matching is the cheapest and simplest test but it does not determine paternity it only tells you if it is possible that you are the father. If the blood types don’t match up there is no possible way you are the father and no other tests are needed. If the blood types do match up it only means that you could be the father and a DNA test will be needed to know for sure.
In order to match blood types you need to know the answers to three questions; what is the father’s blood type, what is the mother’s blood type and what is the baby’s blood type? A baby’s blood type is determined by the blood types of its parents and it is an exact science as to what possible blood type a baby can have based on the types of the parents. It may sound confusing but it is really very simple. The blood type of the baby is determined by a combination of its’ parents' blood types. If the baby has a blood type that could not be the result of the combined blood types of both parents then the paternity is usually called in to question (since in natural conception maternity is never at issue).
So what is the difference between a positive and a negative blood type match? Rh factor aside (which determines if the blood type is positive + or negative – and is not effected by paternity) a baby will have the same blood type as either its mother or its father or it will have a combined blood type based on the types of both parents. A negative blood type matching happens if a baby does not have the father’s or mother’s blood type or if the blood type that a baby does have is not a possible combination of the father’s and the mother’s. A positive blood type matching happens when a baby has the same blood type as the mother, the same blood type as the father or a blood type that is a combination of the parent’s blood types. The following chart shows which blood types are possible based on the combined types of the parents.
Determining Paternity by Blood Type
PARENTS' BLOOD TYPESYOU MAY BE THE FATHER IF THE BABY ISYOU ARE NOT THE FATHER IF THE BABY IS
A and AA, OB, AB
A and BA, B, AB, OAll types match
A and ABA, B, ABO
A and OA, OB, AB
B and BB, OA, AB
B and ABA, B, ABO
B and OB, OA, AB
AB and ABA, B, ABO
AB and OA, BAB, O
O and OOA, B, AB

http://teenadvice.about.com/od/teenfathers/a/teenfathersFAQ.htm?terms=teen+fathers

A closer look at your rights and responsibilities.
Remember in cases of natural conception if the blood types do not match it is because the wrong father has been identified. If the blood types do match up the next step that should be taken is a DNA test as blood type matches only suggest the possibility, not the certainty, that the right father has been identified. DNA testing is much more complicated and expensive but in the end it is worth the investment and many private labs have payment programs available to make access to this test easier. Don’t feel bad about wanting a DNA test, as discussed earlier both father and a child have a right to know the truth. The most accurate DNA testing is done using samples from all three parties; mother, identified father and child, but testing can be done with only samples from the identified father and child.
While it is possible to test DNA before a child is born this is much more costly and can pose a risk to the unborn child. For this reason most DNA testing is done after the child is born.
Should you get married?
The question of marriage under these circumstances is a very personal one but it should not be entered in to lightly. The pressure to marry when an unwanted pregnancy occurs can be overwhelming but there are important legal ramifications that potential fathers must be aware of. In North America our system of law is based on British Common Law and under this legal structure a child born in wedlock (that is to parents who are legally married at the time of birth) is automatically presumed to belong to the husband. A legal father has the same rights and responsibilities as a biological father. If you marry a girl who claims you fathered her child and later find out that you are not the father it can be difficult and costly, not to mention emotionally devastating, to have your parental rights and responsibilities changed. It may be worth your while to consult with a lawyer near where you live before marrying under these circumstances in order to fully and properly understand the law on this matter where you live.
What about adoption? Can I give up my baby for adoption even if the mother does not want to?
No, you can’t force the other parent to give the child up for adoption. You may be able to give up your own parental rights however, depending on the laws where you live. A lawyer in your area can better advise you on the subject of giving up parental rights and obligations and if this is something you want you must seek legal advice.
OK, I’m the father and I’m going to be involved, now what?
If you and the mother can agree on a custody arrangement and on child support it can be as simple as signing an agreement and filing it with the family court in your area. This may or may not require a lawyer. When there is nothing being disputed by either parent then the matter of filing is relatively simple and any associated legal fees are usually minimal. If the two of you can’t agree then you will need a lawyer. As a father you have the right to know your child and to be a participant in his or her life. You also have the responsibility to support and care for your child and if you are the non-custodial parent you have the responsibility to pay child support. As touched on earlier you have the responsibility to ensure that your child is free from harm and is well cared for. If you believe that the mother is unable to care for your child or that your child is being harmed in her care then you have a responsibility to do something about it. On the other hand, if a mother believes that you may be bad for the child or put the child in harms way then she has a responsibility to do something about it. This usually involves going to court to stop or limit access. A lawyer will be needed and depending on where you live you may be able to get legal aid or assistance. Check with your local law society, Attorney General or other public law office.
Parenthood is not an easy thing and it should never be entered in to lightly. No matter what the circumstances surrounding conception when you become a parent you are a parent for the rest of your life. Fathers are no less important than mothers and their obligations to their child are no less than those of a mother. Just because biology has made it that mothers carry the child in their body this does not mean that the mother is the most important parent. Both parents have important roles to play in the life of their child. While having a child while you’re still a kid your self is less than ideal this does not make you any less a parent. Once you know a child is yours it changes your life forever no matter how old, or young, you are.

Answer 3

Child support would be about it, state of Wisconsin will insure he pays. Parents of the young woman would not be able to sue him etc. My own 17 yr old daughter had a child with her 19 yr old boyfriend so I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS FOR A FACT AS WE LIVE IN WISCONSIN. The state will be ruthless in the collection of child support, he will pay. Her mother and I checked into everything believe me.

Answer 4

there can always be legal problems, cause if you do a crime 40 years ago, you can still go to jail for it, so it won't matter if she is 18 in a year or so, because this happened when she was 17

Answer 5

in most states the legal age is 16..and if she was mutual about the sex..but she is 17 and she is an adult in the eyes of the court..your friends can go to the local court house and find out what the laws are..but i really don't think that they can do anything about it..sorry

Answer 6

Technically yes...

Most likely no..

There will undoubtedly be an investigation... All parties will be questioned and the extent of the violation of the law will be decided.. If the sex was concentual and the adult (20 yr old) has no prior record etc. there will most likely not be charges pressed...

Everything hinges on the finding of the investigation...

Answer 7

It depends on where you live. In some states you're considered an adult and can leave home etc. at 17 y/o. Go to your state governments website, and you should be able to find information on laws there.

Answer 8

No, I don't think so because the legal age to consent to sex is 17. So I don't think that you'll have any problems.

Answer 9

If the parents chose to press charges yes. If not, then everything would be fine.

Answer 10

I've heard that some states have a grace time period. If they are less than 4 yrs apart, then it's "ok".