Legal Question in Family Law in Utah

My ex husband and I divorced while I was pregnant with our son, due to his drug abuse, seven years ago. He is court ordered to pay child support, keep a life insurance policy, and health insurance for our son. He has never done any of this. He hasn't filed a tax return on the past seven years, either. He lives with his parents, working under the table. He never contacts my son, sees him once a year, always supervised. I believe him to still be using drugs and he has served jail time for multiple drug offenses. He owes over $8,000 in child support. He even recently got remarried but never told his son. We now do not know where he is living. I would like to know if I could involuntarily terminate his parental rights. Every time the topic is mentioned to his parents, they get say he will refuse. But my fiance, who has basically been my son's father for the past three years, would like to adopt him once we are married. This would also help me stop worrying, because I do not want my son to go to my ex husband if anything were to happen to me.


Asked on 2/03/12, 2:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Your ex has abandoned his son. If your fiance wants to adopt the boy we can file for abandonment and do the step parent adoption at the same time. The past due child support continues to be a debt that he owes you. We may be able to opersuade the ex to pay some child support.

You may contact me for a free consultation - I will be available next Monday.

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Answered on 2/03/12, 7:33 am


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