Legal Question in Family Law in New York
fathers rights
Hi, I live in Washington DC and have a child residing in Nassau County, NY with her mother. I was at a hearing in the Family court (in NY) yesterday for a modification of child support because I recently lost my job. Before the hearing, the childs mother and her lawyer asked me if I would consider giving up my parental rights in exchange for money. I said yes. We later went into the hearing examiners room, and under oath, I agreed to relinquish my parental obligations and give up my rights as a father, in exchange for money from them. The hearing examiner accepted this agreement and adjourned the proceedings for about a month untill the proper paperwork could be written up by her lawyer. After a good nights rest, I changed my mind and no longer want to proceed with relinquishing my parental rights or obligations. My question is this....Am I still bound to this? because I agreed to it in court already? after all, I haven't signed anything yet.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: fathers rights
Write a letter to the Nassau Co.Family Court explaining what happened, and how, now, after due
reflection, you've had a change of heart. Send
copy to mother's attorney. Don't sign any papers prepared by mother's attorney. Continue to comply
with whatever child support obligation that you're still responsible for.