Legal Question in Family Law in California

The father of my child has not been around since he was a baby (really hardly at all since I found out I was pregnant, only on rare occasions and he would always be on drugs). I have always had full care and responsibility for the child, and he knows my husband as his Dad. The father has serious drug problems and has been in and out of prison, however his name is on the birth certificate (my biggest mistake ever). Now my child has been invited to be a Student Ambassador in Europe next summer and needs a passport ( He is 11). Can I get one without contacting the father? I don't want him to know my last name, where I live, or even remind him that we are around. We have built a good life, and the last thing my son and I need is an obsessive crazy man at our door.


Asked on 8/15/09, 6:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

You could consider stepparent adoption. Retain an attorney to contact father and ask him to relinquish his parental rights. If he does not relinquish his rights you will seek child support from him. The only other option would be to file a motion for full legal custody and request that your address be kept confidential. I don't think there is any way to do this without notice to him.

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Answered on 8/15/09, 8:24 pm


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