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sailnaway · Nov 20, 2007, 04:19 PM

My ex has called me to say he wants to give up his parental rights to my girls. He states he wants to do this in order to concentrate on paying his second ex-wife child support for his son. He claims he needs to do this because he cannot afford to pay support to us both. My daughters are crushed that he's willing to give them up for financial gain, and keep his son from his second marriage. I cannot understand his reasoning as he only pays me 60.00 a week for 3 children, and her 150.00 monthly for his son. (Naturally he doesn't pay as required, only after the arrears rack up.) Both divorce cases are based in the same county in Wisconsin. I can see him giving the girls up only because my current husband is willing to adopt, although it'll cost us the fees for such, but I was under the impression that he couldn't pick which kids to give up. Can he legally give up my daughters, while maintaing his parental rights to his son?

J_9 · Nov 20, 2007, 04:48 PM

Giving up parental rights does not mean, in any way shape or form mean that he will not have to pay child support. It only means that he will not be able to make any decisions regarding the health and welfare of the children.

He will still have to pay unless there is someone that is ready, willing, and able (a new husband for instance) to adopt the children.

Fr_Chuck · Nov 20, 2007, 07:37 PM

Just laugh at him, and you should take him back to court to see about getting a better share of his money.

ScottGem · Nov 20, 2007, 07:59 PM

If you check the many threads here about terminating parental rights you will see that a parent cannot give up rights just to get out of paying support. A court will generally only allow a termination of rights where there is a someone waiting to adopt the child or the parent represents a danger to the child. So he is blowing smoke or hasn't researched things, if he thinks he can just say he's giving up rights to get out of paying support.

sdc719 · Nov 21, 2007, 08:59 PM

Tell him nice try. What a jerk! Since giving up rights doesn't necessarily mean not having to pay child support, let him do it so he can understand what KARMA is! No wonder you two aren't together anymore... props to your new hubby who is willing to step up where this a man has prevailed. Wish you luck!

N0help4u · Nov 23, 2007, 09:45 AM

J_9 has it right Signing Off From Parental Rights

My friends that have to support more than one family were told by the Judge to 'get a third job'

s_cianci · Nov 23, 2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by sailnaway

Can he legally give up my daughters, while maintaining his parental rights to his son?

If your current husband is willing to adopt your daughters, then yes, he can. But if not then his giving up his rights to his daughters will not relieve him of the obligation to pay child support. He'll have nothing to gain financially by doing so. The fact that he has other children to pay support for as well obviously decreases the amount you can get from him but he still has to pay nevertheless.