Father's Rights

[justmeandmine]

Please Help!

I live in St. Louis, MO and my question concerns Father's Rights.

About a year and a half ago I had just broken up with a woman and after one final night together we conceived our son Ben. We tried to work it out, but our relationship failed. We have not gone to court because I frankly can not afford it. We have no real contact with each other and she only let's me see Ben on short visits and refuses overnights.

Since we were never married, and I am not really in Ben's life much what rights do I really have?

I guess I should tell you that I am on the birth certificate, and that she is about to be married to a new man who already has one child. Also, I am about to move to Texas because of a transfer with work.

Help if you can.

Thomas

 

[Zephyr]

I don't know what kind of help you are expecting to get here, you haven't done anything legally to establish and protect youe relationship with your child, ie, court ordered visitation. and you are willingly moving far away from your child....

the first thing I think you should do is think long and hard about your situation

 

[bugaboo]

I live in St. Louis, MO and my question concerns Father's Rights.

About a year and a half ago I had just broken up with a woman and after one final night together we conceived our son Ben. We tried to work it out, but our relationship failed. We have not gone to court because I frankly can not afford it. We have no real contact with each other and she only let's me see Ben on short visits and refuses overnights.

Since we were never married, and I am not really in Ben's life much what rights do I really have?

I guess I should tell you that I am on the birth certificate, and that she is about to be married to a new man who already has one child. Also, I am about to move to Texas because of a transfer with work.
Help if you can.

Thomas

First of all, there are no "father's rights". a PARENT"S right is equal whether mother or father.
This is what I don't understand. Whether or not you can afford it, that is your child. IF you want to see him and be a part of his life SOOO bad, why move so far away, why not prove you want to be in his life and take her to court...find the money...If your not in his life actively, I don't blame her for not allowing overnights...if the child is very young that would be very confusing. And here you are getting ready to move very far away KNOWING that the child is too young to fly on his own...the ONLY thing you accomplished is letting that mother know that you are not putting your son as your first priority.
Well I know here in Georgia, if the parents were never married, then the father has NO rights. He has to Legitimize the child and the turn around and "sue" the mother for visitation.
well it doesn't really matter who's on the BC, from what I've been told. I could put any smoe off the street on there. And unless new hubby is a wants to adopt then you've not got to worry about that...you should just be happy that there is a man in the house to take care of the boy and be a positive role model. You are the one who is making that choice to move away from the child.

 

[haiku]

well Thomas, if you want to be a father you cannot afford NOT to go to court.

Anyhow, right now, unless you signed an affadavit of paternity, and or have a DNA test (highly reccomended) even if you are on the birth certificate, you are not legally the father, and have no rights.

At any time, mom could decide to take you to court for child support, and then you would have no choice, but to go to court.

So, do you want to be a father by choice, or be forced into it, when mom sues you for child support someday?

 

[haiku]

wait a minute.......are you the same guy who wants to change your step childs name?.............

 

[Zephyr]

you don't have to show that you are coming back for visits, start trying to visit before you move, as that child's father you have a RIGHT to see that child, you can go to court WITHOUT a lawyer and get that much, what good does it do your child to wait, and if you already have a relationship with the child before you move the court is more likely to act in a way that protects and promotes that relationship. it sounds like you are trying not to be the bad guy here, that's good but you also have to do what's best for your child, that's means being involved, STARTING YESTERDAY.