Cant he hire the lawyer...
If this of a man wants to relinquish all rights to his child, he does not deserve her to start with BUT please wait. If he signs away rights, he signs away responsibilities as well and if you are disabled and money is tight that girl deserves her fathers monetary support. She is only twelve and will need lots of things that only money can provide before she is able to take care of herself. Just explain to him that you need time for the lawyer and meanwhile maybe your daughter can move in with you. It sounds as if the bum doesn't think that you are very smart so please listen. He can be forced to pay to help raise her if he has any income whatsoever unless his only income is from some sort of mental incapacity, it can be "attached" to and applied to the costs of raising your child. Do not let him do this to you or his daughter. If he does not want to see her that's fine, not really but what I am trying to say is that he can be forced to do his part whether he ever lays eyes on her again. I would suggest that you start writing down every word that he says to you concerning this matter because it may help you in the future. Also keep all letters that he may have written about this matter. Get to your local social service agency as soon as possible and get yourself and your daughter the help that you both need. DO NOT let this man just wash his hands of all future responsibility to his offspring. Don't you think that she deserves all that he can provide plus 1000 times more. Most of us do.
Best of luck,
Amy ;)