Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa

Re: wanting no parental rights

I am not licensed to practice in Iowa, so this is Montana-specific only. You should consult an Iowa attorney.

I imagine Iowa law is similar to Montana law, where the father cannot just say "oops" and abandon a child he wishes he could ignore. He cannot terminate his rights as a way of avoiding his obligation to this child. He can avoid seeing the child, but he cannot ignore the child's right to support.

The only way he can legally avoid paying support is to prove the child is not his -- a paternity test.

As in Montana, I imagine the child's mother will apply for financial benefits that includes support for the child. She will probably name your husband as the biological father. The state will calculate a child support amount based on information she provides and serve him with notice of his obligation.

At that point, he can object on grounds that the amount is not proper and/or that the child is not his. The CS agency will require the DNA test to disprove that he is the father.