Legal Question in Family Law in Louisiana

putative father?

We are trying to adopt. We have met with birth mother and we all have met with attorney. Who should notify putative father of the mother's wishes to place unborn child up for adoption? Attorney wants to bypass doing a notice of surrender. Attorney wants one of us to contact putative father to see if he will come in to relinquish parental rights. Can attorney send letter to putative father without the mother first doing a notice of surrender? No one really has a good communication with putative father who is a deadbeat with no permanent address. What would be the best way to notify him so that it is legal. Baby is due Sep. 2 and we want to get this situation resolved as soon as possible. Putative father wanted mother to get an abortion when notified of pregnancy and has contributed nothing to mother during pregnancy. Any suggestions on the best route for us to take?


Asked on 6/19/09, 12:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Nick Pizzolatto, Jr. Pizzolatto Law Office

Re: putative father?

Notice of filing the surrender is done after the mom signs. Notice of intent to surrender can be sent to the alleged father. I have done adoptions without sending such notice when the father is only alleged. As long as he gets proper service with the adoption petition you will be fine unless he objects and then its a fight. I cannot second guess the attorney since I have not heard from them.

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Answered on 6/19/09, 6:34 am


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