Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia
If the father of my unborn baby has said he wants nothing to do with us and left the state, what do I need to do to assure that I have sole custody rights and is there a chance he can come back to claim paternity?
1 Answer from Attorneys
When the child is born, as the natural mother the law will
recognize you as having such (sole) custody rights, and, other than giving birth,
you need do nothing more.
But, yes, the putative father could return and file a petition
with the appropriate J&DR;Court to have the paternity of this
child established, and, if proven to be him, then whatever rights as well as obligations the court is willing to establish at that time as a result of the paternity finding.