Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

A single mother with primary custody, not working, going to school towards a career, and has a boyfriend (they do not co-habitate). Father lives in another state, seldom sees the minor child and wants to relinguish parental rights. Mother has been told the boyfriend must "adopt" the child for the abscent parent to be able to give up the parental rights giving the mother full custody. Is this true?


Asked on 12/14/09, 3:18 pm

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

In Missouri we do not have "primary custody" of children. You either have sole legal custody or joint legal custody, and either sole physical custody or joint legal custody. The father does not hae a legal obligation to see the child, but the father should have a legal obligation to pay child support. Perhaps that is what the father wouldlike to "relinquish". The mother should do everything in her power to collect the child support in the proper amount and to have that amount increased as time goes by.

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Answered on 12/19/09, 8:46 pm


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