Terminating Parental rights

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? I'm currently 7 months pregnant, and "sperm donor" is doing everything he can do avoid being responsible for paying child support.

Let us not forgot that our OP is merely a sperm-receptacle.

 

[momofrose]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

I am looking for information on what needs to be done to terminate the parental rights of the father if we are BOTH in agreement. I'm currently 7 months pregnant, and "sperm donor" is doing everything he can do avoid being responsible for paying child support. I don't have his SSN or place of employment, nor an address, all I have is email communication with him. I really don't want to go through 18 years of fighting with someone I don't even care for just for money, and don't want to deal with the "baby daddy drama". I agreed that he could terminate his parental rights. I called the county I live in and was told it was "easy", I just needed to call an attorney, which I did, and left a voicemail that was never returned. I have 2 months left, and really want this taken care of ASAP before baby is born.

***very important added information*** I am actually putting the baby up for adoption, and due to "sperm donor's" reluctance to committ to even cooperating with an attorney, Im afraid the potential parents will get scared off as they will fear he may come back in the future and try to reclaim his child. So I only wanted to see if I could get that part in place PRIOR to the adoption for reassurance.

In the case of "placing a baby" for adoption, advise the possible birth father of your adoption plan. Attorney needs to contact him so that he is notified of the adoption plan. he can either ignore it (he would have 30 days to reply) or contest it. if he ignores it and does not reply for 30 days - that implies agreement to the adoption plan. Attorney needs to get on this now so that once the baby is born, that paperwork is in place.

As far as adoptive parents being scared off - I am an adoptive parent, and it is all part of the process. Truth be told, even after signing a TPR - either birth parent can come back and try and reclaim the child...up until the time of adoption finalization which can be anytime between 6 months and a year.

 

[nikkilynt33]

thank you for your answer

probably the most clear, concise advice I've received.

He's been very adamant that he wants nothing to do with the kid, and it's not that he doesn't WANT to terminate, he's just more worried that I'm gonna find out he does still live in the area, so he's wanting to avoid meeting an attorney. He claims to have no mailing address, only contact I have with him right now is email.

The adoptive parents have adopted once before, but the birth parents for that baby were both involved and both agreed. I think she stated that in MO, the adoption takes a year? Im not using an agency, this is a private adoption.

 

[momofrose]

probably the most clear, concise advice I've received.

He's been very adamant that he wants nothing to do with the kid, and it's not that he doesn't WANT to terminate, he's just more worried that I'm gonna find out he does still live in the area, so he's wanting to avoid meeting an attorney. He claims to have no mailing address, only contact I have with him right now is email.

The adoptive parents have adopted once before, but the birth parents for that baby were both involved and both agreed. I think she stated that in MO, the adoption takes a year? Im not using an agency, this is a private adoption.

Still, he has to be served or at least notified (newspapers and local periodicals)...he does not need to meet with anyone - he just needs to be served with the notice of intent for adoption. He can ignore it - with that he passively agrees to the adoption plan. Why would he care if you knew where he lived?

A private adoption still requires an attorney and the courts to finalize the adoption. Depending on where you live, yes the adoption finalization would take 6 months to a year. You need to get an attorney to protect your rights though - it would cost you nothing - the adoptive parents would pay for that. There are certain things you are entitled to as a birth parent...

 

[halimaha1]

If he doesnt want to pay child support he will go sign those papers for that sweet baby to be adopted. Go through an adoption agency and the adoptive parents will pay for it, and consult a lawyer and let him know what is up. He can't have his rights, and the baby be adopted. He needs to sign papers if he doesnt want the responsibility.