My question involves paternity law for the State of: Mississippi
I hate to write a book, but to better understand my situation...
My son (2 1/2 years old) was born while the father and I were married, so he does have his father's last name. He had joined the Army and had to leave only a couple days after my son was born. Since then, he's never seen my boy for even an entire week at a time. He deserted the Army twice and was finally discharged. He was arrested early 2009 for grand larceny and minor possession. Our divorce was finalized over a year ago, and he's supposed to be paying child support. Now, he USED to see his son on some weekends, but he moved away (many states away) almost a year ago. The only child support I have received was during a one or two month period last year while he had a job here (before he moved) and he sent another $200 back in...January I believe. He does not call me to see how my child is doing, he has never bought him a birthday or Christmas present, or even called to wish him a happy birthday or Merry Christmas. I know he was doing drugs (crack, ecstacy, marijuana) because he told me so. Last time I spoke to him (in April) he SAID he was clean. Again, we haven't seen him in almost a year now. Also, the rest of his family moved away at least half a year ago, if not longer ago. None of his family tries to make any kind of contact with me or my son.
My son has a wonderful life full of people who love him dearly. He's a very happy and intelligent child. I don't talk about his dad because I don't want to remind him of the person who abandoned him, that doesn't seem fair to me. We've been living with my boyfriend for over a year now, but it doesn't really look like marriage is in our immediate future.
My ex's license has been suspended due to failure to pay child support. I only know this because he angrily contacted my mother a couple weeks ago.
I want to have my son's name changed before he gets older and knows his last name. I don't think it's fair for him to share a name with someone he doesn't even know. Is there a way for me to do this?
Also, I'd like to have the father's rights taken away. From reading posts by others, I gather that this isn't going to likely happen without a stepfather and adoption, which for me means it just isn't likely to happen. I'm afraid of my son's dad.
I guess what I'm asking is what I CAN do. I know my ex probably won't show up for anything dealing with court hearings or similar. I just want my son and I to be able to live our lives without this black cloud of "what if" hanging over our heads all the time.
Thanks for reading and thanks for any help.