Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Relinquishment of parental rights in Texas
I have 4 children with my ex-wife. I have seen or spoken to them since last April. I recieved a letter from the oldest (11) last fall to tell me that none of them want to talk to me. I have been ordered to pay approximately $2700 per month for child support and $1000 per month for spousal support. She gets half of my paycheck, which doesn't usually work out to be enough, but it's all I can do. The court awarded us joint custody with my visitation being limited to one Saturday a month for four supervised hours. I live in Louisiana now and due to finances and work schedule I wouldn't always be able to accomplish this even if the children wanted to see me. My ex harasses me with comments about how much the children hate me and attacks me for not being enough of a man to fully support the family. I have put a lot of thought into giving up my rights to the kids and I feel this is what I need to do for my own sanity. It isn't just about the money - my stress level is through the roof at all times because of the situation. My ex does not currently have a significant other in her life, however she does have an extensive family support system and I know the children will be well cared for. I need to know how to go about doing this.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Relinquishment of parental rights in Texas
What would giving up your rights accomplish? If it were easy to do that, every dad would do it to get out of paying support. The Courts certainly would not allow you to stop paying support and you can bet your EX would not. You must have done something pretty bad to have to pay spousal support AND only have supervised visitation for 4 hours once a month. If not, go back in for more visitation and try to build up your relationship. If that can't happen, stop visiting.
Re: Relinquishment of parental rights in Texas
What would giving up your rights accomplish? If it were easy to do that, every dad would do it to get out of paying support. The Courts certainly would not allow you to stop paying support and you can bet your EX would not. You must have done something pretty bad to have to pay spousal support AND only have supervised visitation for 4 hours once a month. If not, go back in for more visitation and try to build up your relationship. If that can't happen, stop visiting. Visiting has nothing to do with the obligation to pay support and vice versa.
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