I live in Minnesota and I have 1 child who is 9 years old. The father has not paid any child support in at least 7 years. There is a child support order in place, but he doesn't work just so he doesn't have to pay. There is no visitation order at ll. So my question is...

Does the father have any legal rights to the child?

Can I ask him to sign over his rights?

Are you re-married?

Are you re-married?

Yes I am married, and was never married to the father.

TPR is rarely granted aside from adoption. If your new husband is willing to adopt you may be able to petition the court for TPR from the father of the child.

TPR is rarely granted aside from adoption. If your new husband is willing to adopt you may be able to petition the court for TPR from the father of the child.

Yes husband is willing and wanting to adopt my daughter. I am sorry but I don't know what I TPR is. Currently the father is behind over 15K in child support... Just and F.Y.I (dont know if it matters)

Termination of Parental Rights.

If you support your husband adopting you can request a TPR in lieu of all of the back child support, your ex may agree.

Termination of Parental Rights.

If you support your husband adopting you can request a TPR in lieu of all of the back child support, your ex may agree.

Is this something I can do on my own or do I need a lawyer?

What are the chances a judge would grant this?

Is this something that is done all the time?

Is this something I can do on my own or do I need a lawyer?
You will want a lawyer, especially since it involves an adoption process.

What are the chances a judge would grant this?
Depends on if all parties are willing and the adoptive parent can promote a stable and healthy role model for the child.

Is this something that is done all the time?
It's not done all the time, but it's common enough.

We also have to add that the child's father has to do this willingly.

We also have to add that the child's father has to do this willingly.

Willingly that I don't know. I have not talked to this man since 2003 maybe 2004. I don't even have a number or an address for him. The last time I heard anything he wanted to take me to court to have his child support lowered.

If he knows that this may get him out of paying support he just might be willing.