10 yrs later Paternity? Part 2
I apologize for starting a new thread, however, my previous question was closed on an apparent misunderstanding so I can't update it with new information that I have questions about. Hopefully I'll get a fair shake with this new stuff.
Let me 'splain.
[pause]
No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
- There has been no contact between myself and the mother for better than 10 years. There was no attempt even though I was on probation in the county in question at the time.
- I had the understanding that the child in question was not mine due to the statements made by the mother and the questionable time frame.
- I still live in the metro area in question.
- She's engaged and the new guy refers to the kids as "his". - I don't have an issue with this, in fact I wish them well.
OK. Here's the new stuff and my questions.
I understand that there is no statute of limitations in Florida, but since this matter is over ten years old & no attempt was made to contact me (made further relevant since I was still in the county probation system beyond the point of the child's birth) do I have standing under a laches provision as set forth in Florida law?
I got a letter from the mother today. (apparently DOR gave her my address, just like I got hers on one unredacted page in my paperwork). In it she apologizes for dragging me into court, the way she treated me etc. She goes on to explain that the child has green eyes and Type 1 diabetes.
My mother has kinda greenish eyes, but nobody would call them "green". Everyone on my father's side as well as my siblings have blue eyes. Nowhere in my family history is there any Diabetes much less Type 1. On the flip side, my roommate at the time has both green eyes and is an insulin dependent diabetic.
She goes on to express hope that if I am the father that I'll want to spend time with him because he "really wants to know who his father is." She then goes on to state the she's "not asking for money" and he just wants to know who his father is. She also says that he has a father figure in his life, but again would like to know bio dad.
Now some questions:
- Since she states in her letter that she "doesn't want money" and there's been no ruling is this grounds for dismissal?
- Can anything be made of the letter she sent?
- How about the fact that both of us got each other's address?
- Can I ask for mediation pending the DNA results? If so, can her desire not to get financial support weigh in my favor? Likewise, should I suggest that her fiance adopt the child?
- Based on the above, in the seemingly less likely even that I do turn out to be the father can I get her to cover the DNA test / or can I work something out with the court?
- Also, do I have a duty to provide information on my old roommate? He was the source of the material for our arrest all those years ago, and may have cheated with the mother in this case. However, I haven't given him a second thought in years and don't bear any ill will.
One other tidbit. I have an astigmatism and need glasses - have since I was really young. It appears that the child has no such limitations.