Unwed Potential father. Paternity has yet to be established?

Question

Hello,
I have an ex girlfriend that is 4 month pregnant, we both currently live in IL. She states I am the father. Paternity has yet to be established. I have recently accepted a new job in Ohio. Can she legally prevent me from moving to a new state? What are my legal responsibilities other than child support? Do I have to see the child? Do I have to be a part of that childs life at all. I do not know if I am the true father. What are my obligations and rights?

Answer 1

You can move to Timbuktu if that's what you want to do. If paternity is established, and it turns out you are the father.....you can have as little rights to your child as you want, and you can have as much rights as the court deems appropriate, however, unless the mother wants to have a new man adopt the child, you will always be financially responsible until the child's 18th birthday. Speak to an attorney if you don't want this woman to bilk you out of every penny you ever earn. Do it early rather than later because the longer you wait, the more it will cost. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL THE DNA RESULTS ARE IN!!!! Good Luck

Answer 2

If you are not 100% sure that this child is your then you will need to establish paternity as soon as possible after the baby is born.

I can't say with complete confidence because you are in US (I'm UK) but I doubt very much whether she can legally prevent you from moving to where the hell you want to-even if she(and more importantly, you, knew conclusively that the child was yours).

You will obviously be legally required to maintain the child financially if it is yours and you will, of course be able to have contact with the child unless a court decrees otherwise.

All I would say is that if you were in a relationship, however short-lived, and there is a genuine chance(ie more than 1:10) that this baby might be yours then you might consider doing the 'right thing' morally and keeping in contact with the mother through the pregnancy, going (where possible) to the ultrasound scans and even being there for the birth.

I know that this probably sounds ridiculous but, in the event that you disappear into the wide blue yonder for the next 6 months, only to find out via a paternity test that you have a daughter/son you will have missed out (especially with the birth) on an experience you can never do again-the birth of your first child.

If it isn't yours, then as hurt as you may be you won't ever have to look back, or at your child, with the regret that you weren't there and could have been.

Answer 3

She can not stop you from moving. You are not responsible for the baby until it is born. But if she names you the dad I would help out with the baby and keep receipts.Then when paternity is done if your not the father walk away for ever. But if you are the father you will have to pay child support. That's where the receipts come handy. Show you have been responsible and they will take some off the back support. Yes back support. You have to pay even if the paternity is not final. So make her have paternity as soon as possible, If you have to pay for the child you should at least enjoy the child. But you really don't have to see the child if you don't want to. You are the one who has to petition the court for visitation anyway. Maybe next time protect your self from getting anyone pregnant next time.

Answer 4

she can not prevent you from moving, you have no other obligations besides childsupport, you do not have to have a relationship with your child, and you do not have to be a part of your childs life. Your obligation is to financially support your child by providing childsupport.
We pay child support for a child that we have never met ,since she was 9, she is now 16. Mother wanted only childsupport, paternity was never established until she was 15
First, Establish paternity after the child is born, you never know it may make you change your mind about being invloved. it did my husband, a little too late. we can only hope she will look us up when she is 18 and not influenced and damaged by the bad behavior of both parents and other family members.

Answer 5

OK well first of all no she can not keep you from moving. 2nd you need to establish paternity for the baby shortly after it is born...if you are the father and your ex is on any kind of assistance from the state they will take child support from your check..the sooner the better or you'll end up oweing alot of back support...which they will take any tax return money you may recieve. While your only responisibility to this baby will be child support I hope you take a better approach if you are the father. Children need two parents to thrive. Its not this babys fault that you 2 made him or her so why should it suffer? I am not saying marry the girl or anything but you can be involved and live in Ohio.

Answer 6

First of all paternity needs to be established .You can still relocate to a new city if you want. Although I don't advise this if you are proven to be the father and still want nothing to do with the child you can give up your parental right which means you don't have to pay any support. You need to check with your states local Attorney General Office since some states differ. Hope this helps

Answer 7

You should get the results of the paternity test first of all. If you are the father, it would be extremely cruel of you to try to get out of all responsibility and never see the child. If you are not the father, you won't be held to any responsibilities. If you ARE the father, you'll be tracked down for enormous sums of child support no matter what state you move to for the rest of that child's life till he turns 18, but they can't force you to visit your baby or live near him if that is your choice.

Answer 8

Sounds like you know you are the father and you're a real stinker. One can only hope that you will waive your parental rights, although that will mean she won't get child support from you. But in the long run, you sound like scum and she'd be better off to get rid of you. Men like you usually cause problems once the baby is born and you're made to pay child support. In some states, in order for the mother to receive medical attention, food stamps, etc., she has to name a father and then they run a DNA test when the baby is born. If it isn't his, she is looking at fines and jail. If it is his, he will have to pay back everything the state had to give her before the baby was born. If you abandon, you'll still be responsible for child support and in some states interst accures monthly. In abandonment cases, you lose your right to have anything to do with the child, but will still have to pay. Everything varies from state to state. You're a loser. I hope you share this with every woman you date so she'll know how fast to run. If you don't want to have babies, keep your #%&$* in your pants. You can run, but you can't hide. Big brother is getting too sophisticated for that. I guess I'll have to watch "Springer" to see how this turns out.

Answer 9

If she doesnt put you as the father on the birth cert. you dont even have to pay child support. If your the childs father you need to stand up and be a man. You did the deed now do your duty be a father to the child, if your not man enough to be a dad then you shouldnt be having sex or you should be using birth control. Its unfair to the child not to have a father in his/her life. If she doesnt put you on the birth cert. you dont have any rights at all. If she does you have the right to pay child support.

Answer 10

No she cannot stop you from moving out of state. You do not have to see the child even if it is yours, but you do have to support it if it is yours!! Don't pay a dime til paternity is proved. If you keep it wrapped, you won't have this problem! Duh!!! I would certainly hope that if you are the Father you will not abandon your child! Kids need both parents in their lives!!