| Paternity Law Issues relating to establishing and disputing paternity, DNA testing, and associated matters. |
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08-25-2006, 07:33 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
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What are my rights?
I just received papers stating that I may be the father of a 16 year old son........ I received papers about 4 months ago stating that the mother wanted her ex-husband to adopt the child and that I needed to sign him over. Now I receive papers today that I need to go for DNA testing. If I am in fact the father, will I be responsable for back child support for 16 years? I live in the state of Tennessee. Please help!
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08-25-2006, 07:44 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 252
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Re: What are my rights?
Quoting rabi
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I just received papers stating that I may be the father of a 16 year old son........ I received papers about 4 months ago stating that the mother wanted her ex-husband to adopt the child and that I needed to sign him over. Now I receive papers today that I need to go for DNA testing. If I am in fact the father, will I be responsable for back child support for 16 years? I live in the state of Tennessee. Please help!
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Did you read the front and back sides of all the papers you received, including the pamphlets that were sent to you?
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08-25-2006, 08:37 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: not sure
Posts: 463
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Re: What are my rights?
What action did you take when you were asked to sign off allowing the adoption?
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08-26-2006, 07:31 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 755
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Re: What are my rights?
No, you will not be responsible for 16 seconds, let alone 16 years of back child support. Child support is not retroactive.
However, be carefull about signing over your parental rights. I don't know what you want. Do you want to see your child? Maybee try and form some sort of bond? At least stay in touch with him/her?
If you sign the documents stating that you are turning over your parental rights, you will have no contact with the child what-so-ever.
Ever
(unless the child comes to you when he turns into an adult)
However, you would probably be responsible for child support from now until he/she is emancipated sholdl you refuse to relinquish your parental rights. Depends on how pissed off the mom gets :/
Big decision ahead of you.
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08-26-2006, 09:26 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 26,484
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Re: What are my rights?
Child support can be retroactive in paternity cases, depending on state law, although typically there is a limit on retroactivity (e.g., a paternity case must be filed before the child reaches a specific age, such as six). That varies by state; I have not checked Tennessee law.
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08-26-2006, 09:28 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 23
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Re: What are my rights?
Dad2! If he signs over his parental rights, then he is no longer the father of that child in the eyes of the law. Are you saying they can still get child support from him?
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08-27-2006, 08:18 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 755
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Re: What are my rights?
No, if he signs over parental rights, he will NOT have to pay shild support.
However, if he doesn't relinquish his rights, he may/will be responsible for child support until the child is emancipated.
1st step is to have that DNA testing done. There's PLENTY of places online to buy a kit, for a self DNA test. Usually around $300 or so.
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08-27-2006, 08:29 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,442
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Re: What are my rights?
Quoting Dad2
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No, if he signs over parental rights, he will NOT have to pay shild support.
However, if he doesn't relinquish his rights, he may/will be responsible for child support until the child is emancipated.
1st step is to have that DNA testing done. There's PLENTY of places online to buy a kit, for a self DNA test. Usually around $300 or so.
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As Aaron pointed out, it is certainly possible to be held liable for past child support even if you agree to the termination of parental rights.
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