Legal Question in Family Law in Oregon

Signing away paternity

I am pregnant with my ex boyfriends child and am thinking of adoption but he is now with someone else and his mother wants him to do the right thing with this child but he doesn't want to be a part of its life. Can he sign away his paternity rights and that way I can go this alone or give it up for adoption.


Asked on 4/15/07, 4:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lawrence D. Gorin, Atty. Law Offices of Lawrence Gorin

Re: Signing away paternity

The child will be born out of wedlock. As such, the child will have --- as a matter of law --- only one legal parent: YOU.

The biological father of a child born out of wedlock does not have any legal "paternity rights" simply by having been the source of the sperm that resulted in conception. Until and unless his legal paternity of the child is legally established, bio-dad has no legal rights, nor any legal responsibilities.

And in that situation, you are in total control. You can keep the child or give the child up for adoption. You do not need consent from, or involvement of, the biological father.

L.D. Gorin

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Answered on 4/18/07, 11:30 pm


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