[schmee]

hi, i have two questions about parental rights. my daughter's bio father hasn't seen her since she was a month old--that was 6 months ago. he recently emailed me that he was going to "sign off" his "rights and responsibilities". my questions are, can he do this w/o someone else that wants to adopt her. also, if he signs over his rights does he still have to pay child support until she is adopted? anyone who can answer either question, i would really appreciate it. you can also email me @ sls3102@aol.com. thanks,

[JJCMOtey]

From what I understand, once they sign over their rights, they are not responsible for that child anymore, i.e. no support. I also do believe it can be done without the child being adopted by anyone else.

Good luck.

[ANGIELUVSSHAWN]

IN DELAWARE I KNOW THAT IF A FATHER TERMINATES HIS PARENTAL RIGHTS HE IS STILL FINANCIALLY RESPOSIBLE FOR THAT CHILD AND MUST STILL PAY CHILD SUPPORT. I KNOW STATES VARY, BUT YOU SHOULD REALLY CHECK INTO THAT IN PA..

[Searching_03256]

Originally posted by JJCMOtey
From what I understand, once they sign over their rights, they are not responsible for that child anymore, i.e. no support. I also do believe it can be done without the child being adopted by anyone else.

I'd be very interested in any cite for this as I have never heard of that in any state - but I definately don't know even superficially an overview of each state. In Oregon there is public policy (and laws) against taking away one person who is responsible for a child without replacing them with another. It seems only the state can do that in the case of an unfit parent.

-Scott

[ANGIELUVSSHAWN]

IM NOT SURE OF ANY WEBSITES, BUT WHEN I WAS WITH MY EX BOYFRIEND, HE HAD A CHILD WITH ANOTHER GIRL. SHE ASKED HIM TO GIVE UP HIS PARENTAL RIGHTS AND HE CONSULTED HIS LAWYER ON THE LAWS ON DELAWARE AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT EVEN IF HE GAVE HIS RIGHTS UP HE WOULD STILL BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT CHILD. GIVING UP YOUR RIGHTS ONLY MEANS YOU HAVE NO SAY IN DECISIONS AND HAVE NO RIGHT TO SEE THE CHILD.

[Searching_03256]

Originally posted by ANGIELUVSSHAWN
IM NOT SURE OF ANY WEBSITES, BUT WHEN I WAS WITH MY EX BOYFRIEND, HE HAD A CHILD WITH ANOTHER GIRL. SHE ASKED HIM TO GIVE UP HIS PARENTAL RIGHTS AND HE CONSULTED HIS LAWYER ON THE LAWS ON DELAWARE AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT EVEN IF HE GAVE HIS RIGHTS UP HE WOULD STILL BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT CHILD. GIVING UP YOUR RIGHTS ONLY MEANS YOU HAVE NO SAY IN DECISIONS AND HAVE NO RIGHT TO SEE THE CHILD.

This would be more the "norm" that I would expect in most states. It would be really interesting, however, to find a state that allows a father to sign over rights as a way of getting out of support.

-Scott

[lovebirds]

In the state of Pa if you do sign over your rights you do not have to pay child support.It stops the day you sign the child over.

[lmcnally]

I live in Pennsylvania. My ex wanted to sign off his rights, we went to court, he was informed that if he wanted to sign off his rights, he would not have any legal rights to visitations but unless I had a man to adopt my children and support them financially, he was not allowed to stop paying child support. We were told that has to be that way because all children deserve to be supported by two parents. To date he doesn't see the kids but is still financially responsible. Hope this helps.

[krissy2002]

In the state of PA if a parent signs off on their rights they still have to pay child support until the child is adopted or turns 18. Signing off your rights only means you have no rights to that child, but you still have a finanical responsibility to that child. At any point in time the parent my claim these rights back and use them. My mom went through this and we are currently going through the same with my stepson's mother (she wants to get out of her child support). The only way he would not pay is if you give up your right to recive child support, doing this, would not let him claim his rithts at a later piont in time. So don't worry as long as you don't give up your rights he will still have to pay. If it were that easy more people would go that route.

[lovebirds]

I also live in Pa and my husaband boyfriend at the time.Signed his rights over of a child that he did not believe was his and he did pay child support for a very long time.The day she was adopted she was 4 years old he never seen her nor has my children we have been together since 1990.He she was adopted in 1993 When she was adopted he did not pay her a cent of child support.When the guy that adopted her died.They tried to come back on my husband for child support but he still pays nothin.Wants us to have this child in our life.So we asked for Dna and they refused so we went to lawyer and they said nothin can be done because he signed over All rights.

[krissy2002]

Your husband should have requested DNA before he started paying. If he had done this and the mother refused he would not have payed for 4 years. If he had asked at the begining you would not have the headache now. Sorry for your loss but he has on ground to stand on.

[lovebirds]

it is no lost to us.He has no child support to pay.We have had a very good life.There is nothin that can be done now.