Legal Question in Family Law in New York

parental rights

To Whom It May Concern,

I am urgently seeking advice on a current situation of mine and hope that you can be of some assistance. In June of 2004 my girlfriend became pregnant with our baby. In July of that year she left the country (Trinidad) to go to the United States, New York State to be exact. To date she has not returned, although she has been asked by my family and i on countless occassions, thus i have never seen my child, with the exeption of photographs. She recently called and asked if i would sign over my parental rights to her. I am the child's biologocal father and signing over my rights is something i would never do in hopes of seeing my child one day. My question is: Is it possoble that she can sign over the forementioned rights without my consent?.... And what if she forges my signature on the document?

Your Advice is Greatly Appreciated

Thank You In Advance


Asked on 5/15/06, 11:52 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Alexander Sklavos Law Offices of Alexander E. Sklavos, PC

Re: parental rights

nothing is impossible, but it would involve fraud. you should consider a petition for visitation. if you need assistance, call our office at five one six, two four eight, four thousand. also, are you currently paying support? if not, beware, she might be getting public assistance, and if that is the case, the dpartment of social services will be looking for you.

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Answered on 5/15/06, 12:33 pm
Andrew Nitzberg Andrew Nitzberg & Associates

Re: parental rights

You are describing a situation wherein she has taken your child to another country and had him adopted. The mother is unmarried and there is no documentation of your puted fatherhood.

This is a really bad situation for you. You would have to find the child (that is the biggest problem( and then prove fatherhood (easy with DNA). Then they would have to show you signed away or otherwise waived your status as father, not easy for them.

If you find the child, the rest is easy.

Good luck.

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Answered on 5/15/06, 2:05 pm


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