The law varies in each state regarding abandonment and removal of parental rights. I am in New York and the info out there seems contradicting! Help! My son is just one this week, but his father left for Virginia 7 months ago and has not seen him, contacted him, supported him or anything! I don't want him to be able to just pop into his life whenever he feels fit, so I need to know if I can take away his rights or claim abandonment? We have never been married if that's important.

In NY, no. If the father is in violation of the support order, then go back to Court and ask that he be held in contempt.

He has not abandoned the child - he left the child with you.

If you haven't taken him to Court, he has no rights; therefore, there are no rights to remove.

Did you read this before you posted? https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/family-law/child-abandonment-read-first-364259.html

What info have you found contradicting? Courts are very reluctant to grant a TPR. Generally, they will do so only to clear the way for adoption or if the father is a danger to the child. Lack of contact is not a valid reason. Nor is this abandonment. Leaving you alone would be grounds for divorce, but since you weren't married it doesn't apply. It is not enough for a TPR.

Have you ever filed for child support? Was he ever acknowledged or declared as the legal father?