Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia
Voluntary relinqueshment of rights
A couple that has a child together but is not married and niether have legal custody.The father wishes to sign over his parental rights to the child. Is voluntary relinqueshment of rights an option for him to do or not.If so is he still responsible to pay child support.
Asked on 11/18/05, 11:53 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Fred Kaufman
Fredrick S. Kaufman, Esquire
Re: Voluntary relinqueshment of rights
Relinquishing parental rights isn't as easy as it sounds. Judges usually will only approve it when an adoption process is in place. Courts will terminate parental rights when there is evidence of abuse. They generally will not allow it just to escape child support. And the answer is once rights are terminated, so is the obligation to pay support.
Answered on 11/19/05, 7:47 pm