Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

i had a child out of wedlock, it was unplanned. i told the mother i could have nothing to do with the child. We were both in another relationship. Anyways, she asked me to sign my rights off so that the person she was with could adopt when they got married. Its been two years, her significant other left her and now she is coming after me for child support. DFS in MO told her to, because of a no bastard law. I have not even seen a picture of the child and now am told i have to pay support. How is this possible, and why is it okay that she comes after me now that her fiance left?


Asked on 9/04/12, 7:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

The very first thing that you tell us is that you had a child out of wedlock. Then, you seem to question how you can be made to pay child support. The law is clear, even if you personally do not agree with the moral values underlying the law, that a parent has a duty to support his or her child. The facts that the woman you had the child with planned to get married and then go through a step-parent adoptionm but did not do so, have absolutely nothing to do with it. By the way, the DFS can not grant you any legal or physical custody rights regarding this child. In order to obtain any legal rights whatsoever you will need to file a lawsuit and go to court. So, unless you want to pay child support and possibly also maintain health insurance for this child without ever developing any relationship, having any say in anything concerning the child, or having any legally enforceable rights, I would advise you to consult with and hire an attorney.

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Answered on 9/04/12, 9:44 am


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