Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Rights of father that is unaware of child

The father of my child is unaware of her existence. I never told him that I was pregnant and I did not put his name on the birth certificate. My fiance would like to adopt my daughter but I want to make sure that I am not breaking any laws by not trying to find him. Do I have to try to find him? I am unaware of his last name and do not know where to begin to look for him.


Asked on 7/31/00, 10:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Olivier Long Law Office of Olivier Denier Long

Re: Rights of father that is unaware of child

You have to try to find him. Afterwards, if you are unsuccessful, you must say under oath that you did your best. I am not sure without doing research whether you can terminate parental rights by publication of an announcement in a newspaper. I know you can divorce by publication.

Yours is an interesting question.

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Answered on 9/12/00, 7:46 pm


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