QUESTION
Do I need to hire an attorney for this situation ?
Asked on Jan 23rd, 2016 on Child Support - Florida
More details to this question:
I have a 5 year old daughter who's "father" is not on the birth certificate and has only seen my daughter 3 times when she was 2 years old. I want to have him sign over his parental rights, I was able to track him down and speak with him on the issue and he is unsure what he wants to do. I want to find out if he owes back child support for the time he chose not to be involved in her life? What will happen if he does decide he wants to be in her life now? Can I fight it? He came into her life when she was 2 and disappeared after seeing her a few times... I don't want my daughter to be let down and abandoned by him repeatedly.. How can I protect her?
1 ANSWER
The court will not allow the father to have his parental rights terminated if there is not an adopting parent to "replace" him and pick up the financial responsibility, unless, DCF terminates his rights due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
As to the child support, I assume Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Enforcement Division has brought a case against the Father and he is, or was paying child support. You can check with them regarding arrears. If he is not paying child support you need to contact your local DOR office.
If the father takes you to court to get time with the child, you definitely should alert the court that it would not be in the child's best interest to just push the child into the relationship with the father, as the father has not been present in the child's life.
Best of Luck,
Helena Y. Farber ~Associate Attorney~
Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A.
Answered on Jan 25th, 2016 at 5:45 AM