Legal Question in Family Law in Utah

I live in Utah and have a 5 year old daughter. Her father has denied his paternity for the majority of her life, though I am CERTAIN of it. We were never married and he has never made an effort to meet her. I have recently applied for some state housing assistance but they will not even consider me unless I go after child support. Her father has threatened that if I try for child support that he will fight for joint custody of her and tells me that he knows that would be within his rights. Is he right? Would he be allowed visitation after 5 years of abandonment?


Asked on 2/14/11, 9:03 pm

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

You can seek to declare paternity and get child support AND at the same time seek to have his parental rights terminated because of his lack of interest in the child. A father has a duty to seek to prove his paternity, he cannot rest on his laurels.

You may call for a free consultation.

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Answered on 2/15/11, 8:46 pm


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