Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Child support/custody

I am going for a 1st child support hearing on the 7th. I live in GA, she lives in VA.

We were together for 6 months, she cheated and then ran off and married someone else after she found out she was preg. I didn't have the chance to be there for her even though I wanted to be around for the birth. She has 3 kids (3 dads), I have none. She doesn't want me to have anything to do with the child.

Being my only child, I want her in my life. Mother wants me to sign her over and says it'll be 2-3 years before I can have a chance to have custody of her in any aspect (va law, she says).

Just wondering my options and what I should do/say at my first support hearing.


Asked on 7/25/08, 1:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Harold Holcombe Harold D. Holcombe, P.C.

Re: Child support/custody

First, go to the Georgia web site and list yourself as the putative father. This will give you some protection in the even that she gives the child up for adoption.

Secopd, ask for a paternity test. You might have to pay for it.

Third, if you want access to the child, contact a VA lawyer and legitimate the child if she is now a resident of VA. By legitimating the child you will have parental rights. Right now, your only duty is to pay child support and you have no rights to the child. If you have had little or no contact with the child your chance of getting custody is very slim regardless unless she is an unfit mother. You need to establish a relationship with the child before you start thinking about custody.

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Answered on 7/25/08, 1:46 pm


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