I live in Arizona and have a question on a parent rights, specifically how to sign off your rights.

My ex-fiancé recently had our baby. After she left me she told me that she wanted nothing to do with me and did not want me in the child’s life. She has asked me to stay away and sign away my rights.

Although this is not the ideal situation and is not something I am happy with, I have to think of what is best for the child. My ex has stated that she is going to make it difficult for me, no matter what the courts say.

We have huge differences in age, religion and how we would raise the child. That being said, I have made the choice to sign away my parental rights. How do I do this in Arizona and protect myself financially and make everything legal?

Well first you have to convince the judge that it would be in the best interest of the child. That isn't easy to do. Almost impossible unless there is someone waiting to adopt this child which I'm guessing there isn't. And even if you do somehow convince the judge unless you live in one of the (five I think) states that discontinues child support Indiana and Texas are two I don't remember if Arizona does or not, you will still be paying support. Therefore what you need to do is go to court and file for visitation, if she dosen't go with what the court orders take her back and she can be held in contempt. Any more questions please ask. But as far as the support goes you can call any family law office and they can tell you over the phone which way your state rules.

Parental rights and parental obligations are 2 different things.

Even if you are allowed to sign away your parental rights (which isn't likely), you will still be financially obligated.

Therefore, I advise getting a lawyer, and getting visitation and/or partial custody set up.

How could leaving a child solely in the hands of someone who is denying the child part of its heritage, and denying a child his or her father in the best interests of the child?

Make sure to fight for you child. If nothing else, it will show the child that you did everything possible to be a part of his or her life, and that the child's MOTHER was the one who was being selfish and childish about it.

Remember too that if the mother is in contempt of court often enough, you may have the ability to have primary custody at some point.

I really advise getting a lawyer in this situation, because it's just not going to get any prettier.

PS--I really really hate women who are doing what your ex is doing. Unless a person is abusive, there is absolutely NO reason why both parents can't be civil to each other for the child's sake. I mean, if person is good enough to have sex with, why aren't they good enough to be nice to for the child's sake?

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Originally Posted by hallahan

I live in Arizona and have a question on a parent rights, specifically how to sign off your rights.

My ex-fiancé recently had our baby. After she left me she told me that she wanted nothing to do with me and did not want me in the child’s life. She has asked me to stay away and sign away my rights.

Although this is not the ideal situation and is not something I am happy with, I have to think of what is best for the child. My ex has stated that she is going to make it difficult for me, no matter what the courts say.

We have huge differences in age, religion and how we would raise the child. That being said, I have made the choice to sign away my parental rights. How do I do this in Arizona and protect myself financially and make everything legal?

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Well, without making a moral judgment here you start by consulting with an Attorney.

As far as protecting yourself financially, there are lots of posts about surrendering your rights and still being financially responsible. The Court very well may find it most definitely not in your child's interest to live on the salary of a single mother with no help from the father.

I would presume when you were having unprotected sex with the mother there were huge differences in age, religion and basic beliefs?

As noted, its very hard to get a court to terminate a parent's rights, even if its voluntary. Generally this is only done to clear the way for an adoption or when the parent is a danger to the child.

So the first thing I would say to the mother, is that; even if you agree to relinquishing your rights, the courts wouldn't allow it. If they did allow it, its likely that you would still be obligated for support. If the mother ever tried to get public assistance the social services agency would go after you for support.

Personally I would stand my ground. Tell her you want to be a part of the child's life and will fight her over it.