[bbane]

I got pregnant by this guy I was dating we were already broken up when I found out I was pregnant, but I wasn't with any other guy so I know he is the father, he wanted me to have an aboration, but I didn't, After my son was born he came to the hospital twice and then after we came home he can over once when my son was 8 days old, After that day I haven't heard from him or even seen him. He hasn't given me a dime to raise our son nor has he even bought a simple pack of wipes, NOTHING. But I want him to sign over his rights and I know he wouldn't care if he had rights or not, But someone told me a father could not sign over his rights unless I get married and my husband wants to adopt him. Can a father still sign over his rights or not?

[Synnen]

No, he can't.

Do you have a support order? He doesn't owe child support until you have one.

And your child has the right to KNOW who his father is, even if that father has nothing to do with the child.

Besides--why do you want him to give up his rights? He's not using them anyway!

[ScottGem]

Its not a matter of still. A parent could never just sign over their rights. Only a court can terminate parental rights (there is a sticky note at the top of this forum that explains this).

Generally a court will issue a TPR only is specific circumstances (these are listed in that sticky).

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, I guess unless you want to go back to perhaps the 1800's a parent can not just sign over any rights to their child. ( unless there is a new partner to adopt)

So to answer that question, no he can not just "sign" over his rights.

Next unless you have went to court and got a child support order he does not owe you one penny, so that is your first step.

[bbane]

The thing is I don't want any money from him. Its not about money, Its about protecting my child him walking out is the best thing that could have happened since he's on major drugs (wasnt at the time) and all he does is drink, he don't have a job so what would I get from him anyway. I just want him to be gone for good and as for a child has the right to know who his father is, Yes I agree that is why I have one picture of him and when my son is 18 I will tell him the truth about everything and tell him who his dad is. This isn't about my son knowing him or not, I just want him to be done and over with as of being a dad and I didn't ask him to leave I told him the first time he decided to walk out it would be him last. But he's not on the BC so I guess it don't matter anyway. Thanks for the help

[ScottGem]

If he's not on the BC, then he would need to go to court to establish paternity and enforce his rights. Since he's not on the BC, there are no rights for you to terminate.

[Synnen]

Whether YOU want child support or not is irrelevant.

Your child DESERVES the support of his father. If you don't want to use it, put it in a college fund.

Support and visitation are two separate things. You can file for support without him getting visitation.