Father Relinquishing his parental rights

[Aimball]

I am the father of a 6 year old daughter, and I want information on how to relinquish my parental rights. The mother and I were never married - it was an accidental pregnancy. The mother, daughter, and myself all live in Ohio, except in different counties 6 hours away. My name is listed on the birth certificate as the father, and the child has always resided with the mother. We have never been involved in the court system so custody, child support, and visitation have never been legally determined. I have not been allowed to see or speak to my daughter in over 2 years despite the fact that I have always helped financially support my daughter. The mother is now married and wants to change the child's last name to her new married name. There is a court hearing for this in a few weeks. I will give my consent to the name change ONLY if the step-father will legally adopt my daughter, which will sever my parental responsibilities. Can I make this stipulation before the hearing or at the hearing? What will be the next step if I go to the hearing and refuse to give my consent? Can the judge still grant the name change without my consent? Can I as the father inititate the process of severing my parental responsibilities?

 

[Toniree]

You can not initiate severing your parental rights. You can have the step-father adopt the child which will be severing your rights, but it will be done at their request. Yes, you can stipulate that you will allow the name change if as long as the step-father adopts the child. If you do not stipulate this, your child would be running around with someone elses name, but you will be paying for it in child support. Be sure that this is really what you want to do before you do it because there is no turning back.

 

[dorenephilpot]

Under the circumstances you describe, in Indiana, you wouldn't be allowed to give up your rights UNLESS someone was standing at the ready to adopt.