My girlfriend just became pregnant?

Question

She asked me to sign off on legal rights of the child but would let me see the child. Does anyone know what the law is on this?

Answer 1

Since you aren't married, the only way for you to be listed on the birth certificate as the father is to sign an affidavit of paternity or a chain of custody DNA test.

So, if you're never listed on the birth certificate to begin with, there are no legal rights to sign away. If you are listed on the birth certificate you cannot just sign away your rights, the government doesn't let you out of your financial responsibility that easily. There would have to be another man (presumably a new spouse to the mom) willing to adopt the child and assume all financial and parental responsibility for the child.

Answer 2

the minute you sign those papers you lose all rights including seeing the child. It also keeps you from paying child support. She would have no obligation to ever let you see the child.
1. you need to establish paternity with a dna test. most states require it now if you were not married.
2. if you are the father you can sign away the rights. you will not pay support, you will not have any rights including visitation to the child. Note if the baby is not being adopted many states will not allow you to terminate your rights becuase an obligation of child support is owed. They will not let this happen no matter what the mom wants unless A. she is getting married and future husband is adopting the child, or B she is placing the child for adoption.

3. If you are the father and wish to at least see the child then do not sign away your rights. You will need to establish a custody or parenting plan regarding physical custody and visitation. more states are moving toward shared custody now. You will be ordered to pay child support based on your and the mothers income and who has the most percentage of physical custody. Those amounts are standards established in each state on a scale based on income. this is not a somebody out to get you game.

4. You can not be forced to give up your rights unless you are proven to be unfit. In Washington state this can be for violence, crimes against children or drug and alcohol abuse. Other states it can be more difficult to prove. You can also lose your rights if you are served and fail to respond to court. Pay attention to newspaper notices. Publication can be fair notification.

5. Even if the mom wishes to place the baby for adoption you have rights as a father and can prevent that adoption and possibly take custody yourself.

You sound to me like you might have an interest in being a father and are not sure about losing your rights. Lok for free legal clinics and organizations in your area if you can not afford an attorney.

Answer 3

Don't do it unless you are sure. Most states are different but pretty much the same. You would have no say so whatso ever in the life or best interest of the child re: medical, school, finances and you couldn't object to Child support. After signing the papers it becomes an auto garnishment that the mother has a right to claim and if she or the child is on Medical assistance throught the state They will seek reimbursement. If you want to see your child, I think you could settle on a physical placement order or even joint custody. I would get a consult with a family attorney and dbl check your rights in your state. If you dont have a lot of funds check @ your city/counties human service department and see what you can do... Good luck... with whatever direction you go in.

Answer 4

Don't sign your legal rights away of the child. This would only prevent you from seeing your child. There is no legal benefit for the mother of you signing your child away except that you would have to pay child support and she would not have to let you see the baby. Your baby will need a father and you should ask her why she wants you to sign your rights as a father away. DO NOT DO THIS!!! This would only prevent you from enjoying the life of your child. I would also rethink the relationship with my girlfriend if she were asking me to sign over my parental relationship with my child.

Answer 5

Signing over your rights is simply that you are giving her all rights to the child. She can take that child and keep it from you and you would have no legs to stand on. I would not sign over your rights for any reason. In the state of washington mothers are favored heavily but the courts love active fathers. If she is already playing games like this maybe you should get a parenting plan and maybe it will go in your favor. I am not an expert on this situation so maybe ask another man how it works in your state and what they did. You can also find all legal doccuments and explinations on the county court's web site.

Answer 6

I think legally, if you sign over your rights, she doesn't have to let you see the child or inform you if she moves out of state or the country. If you want to be involved in your child's life, DO NOT sign your rights as a father away.

Answer 7

By signing of all legal rights then you are basically giving up your child...if you do this your girlfriend could keep you from seeing the baby any time she chooses and you have no say-so in this childs life. I would not do it if I were you :)

Answer 8

If you sign your rights away, she could also give the baby up for adoption, and you won't have any say so in the matter... you would NEVER see your child again. This is what it sounds like to me. I don't know of any other reason why a girl, or woman would want the father of her unborn child to sign away his rights. She can't give the baby up for adoption unless you sign your rights away, if she can trick you into doing that from the get-go, she won't have to worry about that later on.

Answer 9

Once you sign away your parental rights you have NO say in the child's life whatsoever. If you sign away your rights and she says you cannot see the child, you have no recourse on this since you will no longer be considered the father. Signing away your rights will give any man the ability to become the "legal father" of your child. Be very careful on this.

Why is she asking you to sign away your rights?

Please consider consulting an attorney immediately on this

Answer 10

Signing your rights means you dont have any right to see the child, but also means that you never have to pay child support..Please dont do this. My husband just left me and I'm pregnant, and being a man you should try to work things out and be in the childs life forever.