View Full Version : What are my rights?
kat336bb
Mar 25, 2007, 08:36 AM
Hello. I have 3 children from outside my marriage by the same man. My husband has accepted them as his own and his name is on all 3 of their birth certificates.I live in Florida.now the biological father has told me he's going to go through HRS and try to get rights. What can I expect the outcome to be?will he be granted rights and if so will he need to pay back child support? I'm really concerned for my children's emotional state. They have only known one man as their dad. Please get back with me asap to let me know what you think. And should I hire an attorney? Will I need to or is there nothing I can do?
Thank you for your time.
talaniman
Mar 25, 2007, 08:49 AM
Yes you need to consult with an attorney, and yes he may have to pay child support. He may get visitations, but I doubt he can get custody after all this time with out showing you and your husband are a danger to your children. I don't know the ages of your kids but if there is something you've been hiding from them you may want to reconsider. I also would like to know what you mean by Outside your marriage. Where these children born through affairs you had while married or what?
shygrneyzs
Mar 25, 2007, 10:00 AM
I tried to give Tal some rep on this - but I have to give it here. Mega dittoes on Tal's question "I also would like to know what you mean by Outside your marriage. Where these children born thru affairs you had while married or what?"
From how it sounds, you had a continuous affair with a man, who you never married, while you were married (and still are) to your husband. Your husband knew about this and forgave you the three times and gave his name to the children.
Be that as it may, you do need an attorney for this. You also need to be honest with your children. I don't know how far the biological Father can take this - but if he is insisistent on his rights, then you need to be prepared to deal with it.
ScottGem
Mar 25, 2007, 10:15 AM
You can expect the outcome to be that he will gain his rights as the biological father. With that, he can also be required to fulfill his responsibilities as parent.