Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

adoption gone out of control

I became pregnant, and the father left me after i told him about the baby. I decided to put the baby up for adoption. My mom talked me into keeping the baby and allowing me to move back home. A few weeks went by and i was having issues with the baby, turned out to be post pardum depression. I went ahead with the adoption process and my mom went to the court and got temporary custody until the father was notified. I didnt go any further with the adoption idea and instead sought therapy to help me with me issues. Because the father was notified of my intentions, the paternity test was administered and he was found to be the father. He went ahead to try and get full custody of the baby. when the court date came, the big arguement his attny had was my intention to adopt, and the baby should be given to his father. so the judge ordered full custody to the father. that was a year ago. I have not seen or heard from him since court. Now i have been given a child support order. I have moved on and do not feel any connection to the baby, now nearly two years old. What are my options with the child support order? If the baby was taken from me because of my intent to place him for adoption, why am i being forced to support the child?


Asked on 9/06/05, 10:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Maria Murber Law Offices of Maria Murber, PC

Re: adoption gone out of control

Intentions are not what counts in regard to the laws and your obligation to pay child support. The father is entitled to seek child support from you, as you are the mother and have some responsibility to contribute to the support your child. In Massachusetts there is a child support guidelne worksheet. The guidelines calculate your earnings and the custodial parent's earnings, together with other factors in order to ascertain a percentage that you will be obligated to contribute to the care of your child. In order to get a clearer understanding of your situation, you may want to consider consulting with an attorney. My initial consult is free and my contact number is (978) 794-0695. But in any event, you should seek advise from an attorney whether it be me or, someone else. You can also obtain a child support guideline worksheet at the Family and Probate court from the clerk's office. Good luck! Sincerely, Maria Murber

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Answered on 9/06/05, 11:20 am


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