Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Longtime girlfriend and I not married but have 3 young children together. Her 15 yr old from a prior marriage. She has been a stay at home mom for 10 years and I work. The 15 yr olds father gave away right to the child 10 years ago and has only paid child support..

The 15 year old lately has had several runs in with police and problems at school and in June decided he wants to go live with the father because he doest think we have the right to punish him for his actions and his father lets him do whatever he wants. Now the father wants to take her to court for ful custody and he wants child support from her.

We have decided that if he wants to continue to act this way he can go live with him, we do need to protect the 3 younger kids from and harm he may cause down the road. But she has not worked in 10 years and they are well aware of this. I'm guessing they are hoping for a judgment against her to get money from me to keep her out of trouble.

The other problem would be if she tries to go back to work with daycare costs and everything it may put more of a fincial burden on us.


Asked on 8/12/16, 7:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Contact an attorney in your area. You will do better with an attorney helping you in this. You do not say how old your other children are. It would be very hard for the court to look to you for child support. The fact the father gave up his parental rights will make it much more difficult for him to gain custody.

I would contact an attorney who does custody matters regularly in your area. The fact the father gave up his parental rights long ago will make it much more difficult for him to get custody, Moreover, if the reason for the child seeking to go to his father being he does not like be disciplined for bad behavior, it is not likely the court will grant the petition.

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Answered on 8/12/16, 10:49 am


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