Termination of Paternal Rights Question???????

[racendirt5]

I live in Tennessee and my ex wife lives in Texas. She has asked me to terminate my parental rights. I do not get to visit with my kids very often due to the fact that they are over 700 miles away. I have joint conservatorship with my ex wife but my kids are involved in activities in the summer and do not want to come to Tennessee for the summer and miss out on their activities. She has a petion drawn up by an attorney in Texas agreeing that if I terminate my rights to the kids she will forgive and Abate any future child support, medical bills or any kind of obligation I will owe toward the kids. She and I are both remarried, she has a child with her new husband and I have 2 with my wife. SHe also has two step children of which her husband has custody due to the fact that their mother passed away. She wants me to terminate my rights and have our kids last name changed to her present last name. My question is: Is it legal in the state of Texas for a father to give up his rights and not have to pay any more child support on the kids if it is stated in a order or can a mother have you give up your rights and then come after you for child support??. I know in Tennessee, a father can give up his right but is still obligated to pay child support. I love my kids and they are old enough to know me and remember me, one is 10 and the other is 8, and I know her husband now can provide for them and care for them and maybe when they get older they will remember that I took care of them and I do love them but they have their friends and lives out in Texas right now. ANother question is can she change their last name without her new husband adopting them? She said her husband is going to adopt them once I terminate my rights and she said in Texas adoption is simple, "all we have to do is go in front of a judge and swear in " I dont know what to believe.....someone please help asap. I have a copy of the petition I can email to someone if they can help me with some advice. Attorney's here in Tennessee do not know the laws in Texas.

 

[MySonsMom]

Her husband (stepdad) would have to adopt these children in order for her to do what she is saying here.

If that is done, she can never ask for any future financial obligations from you.

 

[Grandma B]

As MSM said, the new husband would have to adopt the children. That would mean they would no longer be your children, and that is why you would owe no future support. In fact, they would be issued new birth certificates and everything, as if they had been born to your ex and her new husband.

It would be nice if your children remembered what you've done for them, but don't count on it. Make absolutely certain that this is what you want before signing to relinquish them. Once it's done, it will be too late.

Just a reminder: If you owe any back child support, you will still be liable for that amount.

 

[racendirt5]

t ermination

My ex says that her attorney said that as long as she agrees to it and it is written in the papers and the judge signs it,i will not be liable for any future child support on the children. I have the papers sitting in front of me and it states in them that my ex agrees to forgive any child support,past present or future. she wants me to sign these papers but i am not sure what the law is in Texas, is it legal if the papers state it and the jugde agrees to it?
Please help!