Jessica Shank
Junior Member
Illinois/Pennsylvania: Hi. My name is Jessica. I have an 8 year old son, and was married to his father for less than a year shortly after his birth. I lived in Illinois where my son was born and where I was married until July 2009. I stayed in the area for so many years as I was hoping that my sons father would someday come to his senses and want to be in his childs' life. In 2009, my son and I moved to Pennsylvania, and he didn't contest, he allowed us to move. In September of 2010 I was married to my current husband, who has taken responsibility of my son completely. Financially, emotionally, and supports him in every way that he can. Recently my husbands $28,200.00 child support tab finally caught up with him, as did the fact that he is supposed to hold health insurance for our child. He now pays 480 a month in support, and a little over 600 in medical for insurance and medical bills as our child has a chronic illness. He contacted me through email letting me know that he was speaking with his attorney and wanted to know if my husband was willing to adopt our son, because he wants to terminate his parental rights. He says it is because he doesn't want to keep dragging our son through court proceedings, but I honestly feel as he is remarried with children, he does not want to be financially responsible for our child. He does not have visitation rights, as two years ago, on a visit with him for the holidays, my son was abused repeatedly.
I have to admit I have thought about the day this would happen, but now at 8 years old, I am terrified to bring it up to my son. He hasn't seen or spoken to his father in just about two years, and he has been seeing a psychiatrist to help him cope with his feelings on this matter.
Will the court let him terminate his rights just so he is not financially responsible for the child anymore. I do have an attorney, but as he is in Pennsylvania, and my husband is trying to do this in Illinois, I am so lost. My attorney said that he would have to get back to me on the matter. Just figured I would throw all of this out there.
I have to admit I have thought about the day this would happen, but now at 8 years old, I am terrified to bring it up to my son. He hasn't seen or spoken to his father in just about two years, and he has been seeing a psychiatrist to help him cope with his feelings on this matter.
Will the court let him terminate his rights just so he is not financially responsible for the child anymore. I do have an attorney, but as he is in Pennsylvania, and my husband is trying to do this in Illinois, I am so lost. My attorney said that he would have to get back to me on the matter. Just figured I would throw all of this out there.