Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Removing parential rights of a dead beat dad

How do I go about removing parential rights

from my exhusband who has not paid child support in over 13 months or had any contact with my son for over 9 months. I have repeatedly tried to contact my ex with letters and phone calls. With no response what so ever. In the event of my death I do not want my son to be turned over to a stranger. I want my husband to adopt my son whom he has raised since my son was two years old.


Asked on 7/17/99, 9:01 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Olivier Long Law Office of Olivier Denier Long

Re: Removing parential rights of a dead beat dad

Court is unlikely to terminate parental rights for failure to pay child support. Sorry.

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Answered on 7/20/99, 4:12 pm
Paul B. Ward Law Offices of Paul B. Ward

Re: Removing parential rights of a dead beat dad

While you may have some difficulty terminating parental rights involuntarily, you my find that the child's father would be willing to permit an adoption by your husband since it would end forever his obligation to pay child support. You may want to file a petition for adoption, get the ex served and see if he either agrees or does nothing.

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Answered on 7/21/99, 1:28 pm


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