Legal Question in Family Law in California

Child Support & Custody

I am 19... my ex-girlfriend is pregnant (she is 18). The whole scenario is a mess and a long story. Basically she is a psycho who has attempted to kill herself and has been admitted to Charter Hospital earlier this month. She is now out and is under 24 hour supervised care in her home. We had earlier plans to give it up for adoption but after we broke up she changed her mind and decided to keep it without telling me. She does not have the capability in my mind to take care of a child in the mental state she has and will be in... and at the same time I am in no position to take care of it as well. I believe the child belongs with the adoptive family in which it was supposed to go to. Is there any way for that to happen? Are there any documented court cases of this? I have a trust fund and I am pretty wealthy for a 19 year old. Can they go after my wealth? Can I protect myself? If she does keep the child will my support be based on my total wealth or what I make monthly? I make approximately $4,000 after-taxes monthly. And I have a total wealth of $384,000 in stock and I receive an annuity every month for approximately $4,100 (tax free) that increases approx. 4% every year for the rest of my life. Please help.


Asked on 8/11/99, 3:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

Re: Child Support & Custody

It is a complicated situation and you might consider a detailed consultation with an attorney but here are some answers for you. Unless she is ruled an unfit parent you cannot really prevent her from keeping the kid unless you want to contest custody and fight for custody yourself. If you were awarded custody then you wouldn�t be paying child support. As to your wealth, I imagine the trust is set up such that the principal would not be in danger but the income you receive would be taken into consideration if you were ordered to pay child support.

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Answered on 8/16/99, 8:33 pm


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