My wife and I got a divorce about 2 years ago. We have a 3 year old son. Since then I have moved out of the state (NY) and have been paying child support. I have not been a part of my son's life in over 2 years. Although, I love my son very much, I think that the best thing for all of us is for me to give up my parental rights. My ex agrees with me and wants this to get done. What do we need to do to make this happen, and what exactly does it mean?
2007-01-19 03:01:25 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
If you love your son so much then why would you give up your parental rights? The only thing this would achieve is to not pay child support. Apparently you haven't made an attempt to see your child. It's not your child's fault you decided to move out of state. I think you should move back, and be a parent. If your son is 3, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to have joint custody. He can come visit you, and you can go visit him. You don't need us to appease your conscience. I don't believe you should terminate your parental rights. Just because there's a paper that says you don't have to be his father, you still are.
2007-01-19 03:20:03 · answer #1 · answered by Brandnewshoes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your sentiments...
sometimes nothing at all is better than a once-a-year tearing open of a gaping emotional wound. It will get harder and harder and he will soon have animosity towards you and/or his mother.
Plus, should she remarry, it doesn't give the stepfather a chance to become his real father.
It's a big sacrifice. He'll lose your last name, and you will lose any rights of ever having contact with the child (without the mother's consent) at any time in the future. But you will be allowing the child to begin understanding that even though you love him, and it was with the mother's 'blessing' that you won't be in his life.... unless he wishes at an older age.
I'm a stepfather trying to get parental rights of a child. Also I know plenty of children who have to cope with the once-in-a-blue moon visitations from long distance relationships and call a stepfather by their first name. It's not right.
I believe "father" is a term that should be reserved for those who deserve it most.
2007-01-19 11:49:47 · answer #2 · answered by DeanPonders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ARE YOU NUTS..... SIGN AWAY YOUR CHILD. BY LAW YOU ARE ENTITLED TO VISITATION, ALL SPRING BREAK, HALF THE SUMMER. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR CHILD. LONG DISTANCE CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS CAN WORK. I hope you are not doing this to get out of paying support. Your son needs more than your money, he needs you to be a part of his life.
2007-01-19 11:16:59 · answer #3 · answered by mingcrew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you sign off on your rights to him...this means you will not have to pay child support on him anymore, unless there are some back payments you are behind on. You won't have any visitation or decisions to make on him. You or your ex need to get an attny to get it done.
2007-01-19 11:07:27 · answer #4 · answered by Candy B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should keep the parental rights and reconnect with your son. Go out and visit him, and come have him spend some of the summer with you.
2007-01-19 11:08:31 · answer #5 · answered by Mimi149 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋