Legal Question in Family Law in California
my daughter is 14yrs old and has lived with her father in Nevada for 3 years, She does not want to move back to california with me(i live in california). and her father wants me to give up my parental rights, my question is if I sign my rights away to him and his wife am i still responsible to pay child support?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Future support ends when your parental rights cease. Be sure to ask to waive any arrears if they exist as part of any agreement. You may want to ask for an open adoption since your daughter obviously knows you are her biological mother. If there are psychological issues you think you need to work out with your daughter, counseling with her is a far better choice than a parental right termination.
You don't mention which jurisdiction has the custody and support orders. If it is Nevada, I am not (and I think Ms. Kock is not) qualified to answer your question. If it is California, you cannot surrender your parental rights (and responsibilities for support, etc.) unless it is part of an adoption. So your ex's new spouse would have to adopt your daughter for you to terminate your parental rights. If you did that, however, then your support obligations would end too. As Ms. Kock mentions, that would not cancel any arrears unless that is agreed and ordered.