[Jenn Sharkey]

How can I file for abandonment? I have a two year old boy, and his father has not made the effort to come see him for over a year.

[ScottGem]

There is no such thing as filing for abandonment. Abandonment occurs when a child is left without any adult supervision.

Please explain what you think you will accomplish by filing abandonment so we can advise you as to the correct course of action.

[macksmom]

The only reason "abandonment" is useful is if you are married and your spouse wants to adopt the child. You could petition to have the father's rights terminated on the grounds of abandonment.

Other than that... it really serves no purpose.

[stinawords]

As said abandonment is considered leaving a child with out care such as at a bus stop in most states. There are a few states that consider no contact to be abandonment... however, even in these states it can be hard to prove. This is because in order for there to be "abondonmen" there would have had to have been absolutely no contact for a solid year (time frame varies a LITTLE state by state) this means no phone calls, no cards, no visits, as well as not a penny in support. If he can show a single one of these things with in the year time you don't have a case. And also as said before you don't just file for abandonment you use it as GROUNDS for something else such as adoption.