Legal Question in Family Law in Oklahoma

''Bastard'' child: Will the father pay?

I know a very young couple who are having a child together.

However, this child was the result of a one night stand and

the parents do not get along. A verbal agreement has been

made between the mother of the child, the mother's mother,

and the father that the father will only have to financially

support the child as best as he can.

The resentment between the mother and father is extreme

therefore I wanted to know if the mother could possibly

claim full custody of the child on down the road if she

decides to on grounds that he is not helping to support the

child? Also, I was wondering if it is possible that he

would owe any backed child support to this woman although a

verbal agreement has been made? Thank you very much! I hope

to hear from someone on the topic of th


Asked on 4/09/03, 8:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Herb Southern The Southern Law Firm

Re: ''Bastard'' child: Will the father pay?

First, an oral agreement is generally worth only the paper on which it is written!

Second, one night stand or long term marriage, child support is a "RIGHT OF THE CHILD". Dad will pay according to the law, and not some oral agreement that may have been struck somewhere in the past.

We have child support laws to protect our children, not to make Mom wealthy, and any Dad who thinks he can dodge his parental responsibility is in for a surprise.

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Answered on 4/10/03, 9:46 am


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