[nevaeh1]

I really need some help. I live in arizona, I'm only 17, but I'm a single mother to a 23 month old daughter. The baby's "father" is not in our lives anymore, and hasn't been for about a year. When he was "around", even then never once helped, so basicly I've been a single mom since I was only 15. He doesn't see her, we don't talk, and he does not pay child support. He would like to terminate his rights away, and I'm all for it, and I want to change her last name to mine. The only thing is I don't have a man in my life to adopt my daughter, and even if i did, I don't want another man to adopt her. So my question is, is there a way we can do this with out having someone to adopt my baby? This is so frustrating, I have been looking for an answer for idk how long..PLEASE if anyone could help me at all it would just mean so much, thank you.

[Scarlet Moon 13]

Originally Posted by nevaeh1

I really need some help. I live in arizona, I'm only 17, but I'm a single mother to a 23 month old daughter. The baby's "father" is not in our lives anymore, and hasn't been for about a year. When he was "around", even then never once helped, so basicly I've been a single mom since I was only 15. He doesn't see her, we don't talk, and he does not pay child support. He would like to terminate his rights away, and I'm all for it, and I want to change her last name to mine. The only thing is I don't have a man in my life to adopt my daughter, and even if i did, I don't want another man to adopt her. So my question is, is there a way we can do this with out having someone to adopt my baby? This is so frustrating, I have been looking for an answer for idk how long..PLEASE if anyone could help me at all it would just mean so much, thank you.

In most states they will not allow a man to terminate his rights, just because he isn't around, unless the child is being adopted by a new husband,

Ifyou needed to go on welfare, the state would want to collect child support from the father.

so as long as you are a single mother you may need to keep him the legal father. That doesn't mean he needs to share custody. But whether he likes it or not, he should have to pay support.

At least in all the articles I have read. Check with your state.

[littlebitty]

If your child's father is not paying child support, the first thing to do is contact your attorney general and file for support. If he does not want to pay, or cannot pay, it may be grounds for parental right termination in your state. Your attorney general should be able to give you more information. You can also look up family law lawyers in your area... many of them will give a free first session for advice on what to do next.

Here's the link to your state's attorney general:
Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard
Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard (link to the contact page)

Peace be with you in your decision!
Jeska