Custody

When there is a split-up between parents it's tough on the kids and all they know is mom and dad and nothing else. They are frightened, hurt, often blame themselves for the split-up and it's a lot of stress on a child's little shoulders. If your child doesn't want to see you, then you should never force him/her. Give them time. Twelve is a very awkward age and puberty has set in so emotions run high. This doesn't mean you child doesn't love you. Take is slow, keep in contact with your ex and see when and if the child is OK with having a visit with you. If you and your ex get along how about doing something together with you child. Have some fun together and see where it goes from there. NEVER question your child about what "mommy is doing or who she is dating" because this is super pressure for the child and they should never have to go through something like that. Good luck Marcy If the non-custodial parent has court order visitation, then the child and custodial parent has to comply with that. If they do not, then the custodial parent can be held in contempt of court. ANSWER NO, after 12 the child does not have to go with the parent. They are legally old enough to make that decision.

Proving paternity would become a problem as he would not be able to respond to any paternity claim. There are greater issues at stake here than just the SS benefits.

Generally, if the parents are unmarried the mother has sole custody and control in most states until the father can establish his paternity. Remember, a child's mother can always be identified by medical records. Since the father didn't give birth and he was not legally married at the time of the birth he must seek other means of establishing his paternity and that is done through paternity test. A paternity test can be arranged through the court and once established the father can request visitations, custody or set up child support for the child.

Yes they do. Kids have the right to be educated, respect others, speak their opinion freely, and be respected.

Do they have any rights to leave if they do not get along with Step Father?

its not clear whether this is an unborn child, but if so, the father doesn't exactly have rights until the baby is born--I didn't allow my ex to come to my prenatal visits (this was mainly due to his verbal and emotional abuse that I felt was unhealthy for my child and myself) and there was nothing he could do about it (thank god).

no you cant and you would only be hurting the child anyways,but the courts will look down on it and if that's your answer to the judge he may question your best intrest in the child good luck

Laws differ between states. If the support is court ordered, then he can lose his drivers license and/or be put in jail. He MUST pay the court ordered amount and if he doesn't make enough, he needs to get another job. Most states can attach his wages. Remarriage has no bearing on child support. But will have on spousal support. Laws differ between states. If the support is court ordered, then he can lose his drivers license and/or be put in jail. He MUST pay the court ordered amount and if he doesn't make enough, he needs to get another job. Most states can attach his wages. Remarriage has no bearing on child support. But will have on spousal support.

The mother is the legal guardian from birth and can give the child any name she wants but she can not sign for the father on the birth certificate. He have to sign it and if she was below age of consent when the child was conceived he can go to prison for statutory rape.

The first thing you need to do is get a paternity test preferably a DNA. Even if you are positive, the court will want solid proof. Family Court is concerned with what is in the best interest of the child. And doesn't view him/her as a possession that can be "given" to anyone.

The first thing you have to do is establish paternity. But you can't "make" the father sign over his parental rights. He has the right to be a part of the child's life (unless the court deems him unfit, and even then he would likely have the right to supervised visits with the child) just as he has the obligation to financially support the child. If the father does want to terminate his parental rights and you agree to that, then you also give up the right to pursue him for child support.

Is he actually the father, or are you planning to commit paternity fraud?

If you were an active partner in the home when the child was adopted then of course you need to pay child support. Stop looking for loop holes. Your signature on an adoption is just as much a lifetime commitment to care for that child as is the act of procreating with your wife. Be a man and pay up. It is after all CHILD SUPPORT. They need you.

The court would only consider hearing the "forced into an act" claim if the male can prove beyond a doubt that he was literally held captive and his life was in jeopardy. If the mother chooses to file for child support and the alledged father contests the suit, the court will order a paternity test. The results of the test will determine if the male will be financially obligated. Other issues such as the possible coercion, deception, etc. by the female would not be relevant. Actually, the man's life doesnt have to be endangered for sex to be considered forced. That is like saying only female rape victims' whose lives were theatened were actually raped. If he didnt consent it is rape. And a man is not legally responsible for a child if the woman raped him. also, in certain states he could sue her for "stealing" his sperm

The court order designates the terms under which the child support is to be paid. Even if there is an obvious violation of the stated terms the obligated parent may not, of their own accord, cease to make the required payments. Any changes to a court order must be done through the proper procedures as mandated by the laws of the state where the order was originally issued. The safest option would be to obtain legal advice before taking any action.

No but she can file a motion of objection or opposition and let the courts take it from there. You cannot "refuse" any court proceedings or you will be held in contempt of court.

In the US, no. You have to wait until the child is born.

Yes, the father does have to pay child support married or not. As long as you ARE the father.

If the father is ordered to pay child support by the court, then that order stands until the child is emancipated or if the order is modified.

I believe it's law everywhere that you have to pay until they are 18 regardless if the child is in school or not.

The court order for child support stipulates the manner and length of time in which support is mandated.

Issues concerning the legitimacy of payment should always be discussed with legal counsel, preferably the attorney who handled the original case.

The parent under the order should NEVER arbitrarily cease or change the payment arrangement.

In the State of Michigan, if the child is no longer in school, i.e. quits before they turn 18, you are no longer obligated to pay child support.

What does the legal paperwork state? If you are legally bound to request permission from the other, then I would follow that before taking the vacation. Parents who are sharing their time respectively with the child should also provide optional visitation times if the vacation takes any of the visitation that the "other" parent is entitled to.

well it realli depends most likely no unless the mother has shown in credible things of being able to show that she can retake full responsibility of her child.. unless the grandparents fight it off in most cases they do and the parent looses so its all on luck knowledge and doing wat u have to do.... it iz wat it iz.....

Legally he can't. The parent of a child cannot arbitrarily give up that child and be relieved of the obligation of financial support without following the legal procedure as prescribed by the laws of the state where the child resides.

i live in missouri, while im not completely sure about the laws concerning leagal custody...i do know that after a certain age it is no longer the courts decision, it is yours. Also tho, if you are seventeen you can move out, but the first parent is able to take you to court and get you back.

Morally yes, you are responsible for your own children and should not expect another man to provide for them, legally, it depends what the judge says. Thats if you are asking a moral question and not trying to get out of payments but actually trying to lower them; then you can petition the agency/court to re evaluate the finances of both parents. If at all possible the stipulation of how often you see the child also is or can be considered. Every two years COLA is applied to child support measures that is when either litigent can ask for a re-evaluation

You have to communicate about the child but how you do that communication is up to you. You do not have to meet in person or even pick the child up yourself. It is beneficial for the child to see the parents get along though and this should be your goal. It is not acceptable for a parent to miss important information because the parents can not communicate.

Yes. Children are not for sale or barter. You have a right to visitation even if you don't pay child support - one has nothing to do with the other. Of course if you go to court and petition for visitation, you will get it, but they will also notice that you are deliquent and, as a separate matter, expect you to pay it. You can face jail time if you are too far behind.