[ArizonaDoll]

Hi, I live in Arizona and about three months ago my current boyfriend found out that his last girlfriend had a child by him. There is no doubt to the paternity and she doesn't want any financial or emotional help with the child and he doesn't want to give it. They have agreed at that and decided to go their own seperate ways. However, I, as the current girlfriend who plans on marrying him, am wondering if there is anyway to make this official and legal so neither party will ever have to deal with changed minds and can protect their interests i.e. her want to raise the child by herself and his want not to have to participate either emotionally or financially. Is there any way to relinquish paternity and if so what does that legally prevent him from being obligated to do in the future?

[Xena]

Hi, I live in Arizona and about three months ago my current boyfriend found out that his last girlfriend had a child by him. There is no doubt to the paternity and she doesn't want any financial or emotional help with the child and he doesn't want to give it. They have agreed at that and decided to go their own seperate ways. However, I, as the current girlfriend who plans on marrying him, am wondering if there is anyway to make this official and legal so neither party will ever have to deal with changed minds and can protect their interests i.e. her want to raise the child by herself and his want not to have to participate either emotionally or financially. Is there any way to relinquish paternity and if so what does that legally prevent him from being obligated to do in the future?

The only way that there could be "no doubt" as to paternity, is if a proper DNA test was done.

If they haven't done that yet, that will need to be the first step. Then, if he is the father, decisions can be made about what to do.

[ArizonaDoll]

Okay, that steps done. So exactly what are these decisions and what would then entail?

[aaron]

If she marries, he can consent to step-parent adoption. He should not expect that a court is going to approve a termination of his parental rights, even if he wants no contact with the child, without somebody else stepping in as the child's father.