[Melanie A Simpson]

My name is Melanie Simpson I live in Washington State Spokane County and I have a one year old daughter with my ex-boyfriend who has not seen her since she was a month old. HE says he will sign his rights over to me for her but than he falls off the face of the earth for almost a year and now since I have his number he won't call me back. I am not receiving any support of any kind from him nor do I want this all I want is him not to be able to float in and out of her life like he does his five year olds. Is there any way that I can file abandonment papers so that I can get full custody of her?

[Fr_Chuck]

You need to file for full custody and get a order of child support against him. ( this does not sign his rights away, since normally the courts will only do that if there is someone else to adopt the child ( new husband)

The court often does this, since if you were during the life of the child have to go on to public assistance, they can go after the child's father for part of the cost of assistance for the child.

[s_cianci]

I presume you have full custody. Has he ever been proven to be the father? Not saying that he isn't, but if he's never been adjudicated as such by the court then legally he has no rights as it is. If he wants, he can petition the court for visitation, present proof that he's the father and agree to start paying child support. Then the court will issue a visitation order which you'll then be bound to. But if that never happens, then the child is yours, free and clear and he has no claim whatsoever.