Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia
a fathers rights
First let me say,Thank you for your services! My son {of 22 yrs.of age}Had recently been involved with a woman and they had lived in the same home for sev months. She decided that he wasnt living up to her expectations and threw him out. She then decided {a week later} to announce that she thought she was pregnant.My son then bought her a test {which she took at my home} and it was positive. He told her that because they were not together any longer that he would pay for a abortion. since then she refuses to talk to him or anyone else about it. She did tell me at one point that she wanted to keep it ,but did not want him involved with it. what rights does he have in this matter? We are concerned about her moving away , and of course him not having any rights to being a part of this childs life and or financial responsabilities as well. thank you again for any information you can give us.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: a fathers rights
Your son does not have the right to require her to have an abortion. That is her decision and hers alone. Once the baby is born, she can, through the legal system, ask that his paternity be established and that he pay child support. He can seek to legitimate the child, and if done, he would have the same legal rights as any other legal parent as to visitation, custody, and support. At that time he could seek visitation and/or custody. He would best be served by talking to a family law attorney.
Re: a fathers rights
When you have sex, part of the deal is that you should expect that you may get to pay for 18 years of support and health insurance. That is mandatory. He has no right to insist on an abortion. He can, with a lawyer's help, also seek visitation and in some cases custody.