[Tired of the BS]

In VA, if the father signs over his parental rights can he still be made to pay child support?

[Tired of the BS]

In VA, can one parent change the last name of the minor child without the other parents consent if the parent has sole custody?

[Fr_Chuck]

Well first why do you assume he can sign over his rights, he can't.

Even if the mother agrees, the judge would have to accept it, and most will not.

But with the exception of a step parent adoption, if for some reason this was allowed, and it is almost never allowed, yes the father would still pay support.

[s_cianci]

If the "sole custody" refers to legal custody (which is different from physical custody, though the two often go hand in hand) then yes, the custodial parent can legally change the child's name.

[s_cianci]

Yes. There really is no such thing as "signing over one's parental rights." If a parent chooses not to exercise his/her rights, that does not free him/her from support obligations.

[ScottGem]

I've merged your two threads and moved them to the Family Law forum where they belong. I'm owndering if these questions have anything to do with your other question about your husband's ex moving.

At any rate, at the top of this forum is a sticky that deal with relinquishing rights. Bottomline is courts are very reluctant to issue a TPR. Generally they will only do so to clear the way for an adoption or if the parent is a danger to the child. They will not do so if it means letting the parent off the hook for support.