Legal Question in Family Law in New York
Fathers Rights
A friend of mine got a girl pregnant around 10 years ago. She was engaged to someone else. Although he would have done the right thing she said she wanted to stay with the man she was engaged to. They never did get married, but they stayed together and he believed he was the father(his name is on the birth certificate). My friend had no contact with her in 10 years.Approximately 9 months ago she showed up at my friends mothers funeral and introduced this child to everyone as my friends child.Recently this woman called my friend and told him the child wants to meet him and the woman wants him to take the child once a month and now all of a sudden be a father to this 10 year old girl. She wants no child support,at least not yet. What are his rights? What should he do?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Fathers Rights
If the child is his, he has the right to support her, the same as any other father.
Does he want visitation?
If he is not sure he is the father [and on these facts, he may not be], then he has the right to a DNA test.
Let him consult with an experienced Family Law attorney. For more information, please visit my web site.
Re: Fathers Rights
Your friend will not be forced to see the child or have visitation with it. He could be made to pay child support if she asks for that. As a preliminary matter, if she asks for support, he would be well served by asking for a paternity test.
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