Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

paternal rights

I have a six month old child. The father and I did not marry. I am 40 years old, have a teenager, I work full time, make a decent living. The father of the child has never paid child support, I also have not pursued it. He did sign the birth certificate. He wants to give up his paternal rights; he has not had much involvement with the child, and none for the past 4 months. I suspect the reason he wants to ''give up his rights'' is because he doesn't want to pay support. I would like him to not see the child, my reasons are safety of the child and some moral issues. Is there any way I can make it legal? He has not gone to court for visitation rights. Does he have any rights? Thank you for your time...


Asked on 3/08/01, 11:45 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gregg Manes Gregg A. Manes, Esq.

Re: paternal rights

The only way to terminate parental rights is by adoption. As long as he is the legal father of the child he is responsible for the child support. The fact that he has not paid in the past or does not want to pay is irrelevant.

Good luck!!

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Answered on 6/05/01, 11:21 am


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