Legal Question in Family Law in New York

Re: Giving up Parental Rights

Unmarried parties usually do not have legal obligations to support each other, notwithstanding the anticipated birth of the parties' child.

But, a parent CANNOT "sign or give away" his/her parental rights or child support obligations.

Thus, absent a Court Ordered adoption of your child, by another, after birth, your Ex's parental rights and support obligations will continue until your child's majority or emanicipation.

Nevertheless, you may decide not to sue your Ex for child support; and you may agree, to fair and resonable child support in advance of your child's birth, that is less than the statutory amount. You may also decide to that your agreement or promise, not to "burden" your EX with child suppport, for a child he does not want, is an agreement you want to honor.

However, you should Plan to avoid exposing your child to the extreme confusion and pain a child is often subject to, when parents do not agree on the basics and are inconsistent with respect to how they arrange their life.

Good luck,

Re: Giving up Parental Rights

You can have him sign papers today. Of course he cannot "sign away" the rights of his child, only his rights with respect to you. Also, it is possible that once the child is born, he can change his mind and decide that he wants to be a part of his child's life. Regardless, he cannot sign away his child support obligations.

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