Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee
Child support
I have a 4mth old baby and the father isn't on the birth certificate or has ever had anything to do with us... we took a dna test and he found out he was the father (not legal in court dna test) and now all the sudden he wants to be in our lives.. i dont' want my baby around him at all he's not a good person he does drugs and has a bad lifestyle.. i've not let him see the baby... he keeps threatening me that he has a lawyer and he's going to get full custody of him... he's never supported him in any way but the other day he sent me a money order for 500$... I haven't cashed it yet... my question is what will happen if i cash the check? Does that give him rights to the baby? Is there any chance that he would ever get full custody of him? Do i have to let him see him? If u could write me back and let me know any info it would be greatly appreciated...
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child support
You desperately need to speak with an attorney in person about this.
The only thing cashing the check will do is to put $500 in your hands. The fact that he gave it to you DOES constitute paying child support, whether you cash the check or not.
The fact that he apparently requested the DNA test, and that you and he made a baby together, also indicates that the father HAS had something to do with you and the child before he made that payment.
Whether a court would ever decide to make him the primary caretaker for the child (Tennessee courts try to avoid using the term "custody" any more) will depend on which parent the court decides the child would be better off living with, but your refusal to allow him to have anything to do with the child will be one heck of a strike against you in that decision.
Take a look at my website at jesbeard.com for a great deal more information about this and for general advice to parents in your situation, which means parents in disputes over parenting responsibility.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
