Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Child support
My son received papers to appear in court this month for child support. He is not sure that the child is his, he is a full time college student and works part time. The girl said that if he signed his rights over, she would drop the child support.... he is afraid that she could come after him for support later anyway. I told him to take a paternity test (he can not afford), but he wants to sign over his rights. What are his options and ramifications (sp) of any of this?
We live in Texas
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Child support
He cannot just "sign over his rights" without obtaining an order signed by a judge. If he does not take the paternity test, he will be found to be the father for failure to do so and it could last the rest of his life whether or not he is the father. Can't afford it? It's much, much, much cheaper than 18 years of child support.
Re: Child support
I agree with all of Mr. Grissom's comments, and want to add that if the AG is involved in the case, sometimes in our counties, the judge will order that the AG foot the bill on the paternity test. It's worth asking. If they don't, then it is still much cheaper than the child support.