Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Does my husband have paternal rights?
My husband has a 14 year old daughter that we have not seen since she was 6 years old. He and his daughter's mother were never married, but they did have a custody agreement drawn up when the little girl was about 2 years old. Mother got full legal custody and primary physical, but my husband was given visitation rights ''as both parties mutually agree''. Fast forward to 2 years later (daughter is now 4), and my husband is told that he no longer has rights to his daughter, that she has been adopted by her mother's new husband. His daughter was by then calling my husband by his name, and the mom's husband was called daddy. At 6 years old, 8 years ago, they all moved to AZ. My husband and I and our children are in PA. My husband checked with the courts and all they had on file was the custody agreement that I described above, nothing regarding paternal rights being relinquished. Would the County Courthouse have this information, or would we have to go through Orphans Court? And is the mother getting sole legal custody enough for her to say that my husband has no rights? His daughter was also given her new father's last name. There was no hearing that we are aware of. My hubby never signed over his rights in or out of court.

Asked on 12/30/08, 11:37 am

John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

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Re: Does my husband have paternal rights?

So they terminated his parental rights without notice? I'd ask for a copy of the adoption certificate.

As Adrian Monk would say, "There's something not right about this room'.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. The initial consultation is free.

{John}

Answered on 12/30/08, 5:16 pm

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