My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Texas
My child is 10 months old and the father hasnt tried to get rights at all and demands that I let him see my child. He demands that I let him see my child but I ignore his threats. Do I have to let him see my baby? He is not on the birth certificate and hasnt filed for any rights whatsoever. He doesnt pay me any money at all to help support my child.
How long do I have to wait before his rights can be terminated completely? Is this even possible?
What are my rights as a mother?
Unwed Mother Rights
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11-28-2011, 05:51 PMthe_dizzleUnwed Mother Rights
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11-28-2011, 06:04 PMDogmatiqueRe: Unwed Mother Rights
Your rights are to file to establish paternity and obtain child support.
(Or not, if you choose not to do so).
Dad has no rights to terminate - forget that route for right now. If Dad wants to visit his child, you do not have to let him without a court order in place. However..what would be the harm? And please don't say he's unfit unless you can prove that he's legally unfit - that means representing an actual danger to the child.
He's also not obliged to support your child without a court order. -
11-28-2011, 06:29 PMthe_dizzleRe: Unwed Mother Rights
I tried working with him about visiting whenever he could and he would visit when it was convenient for him. He lives in a different state than me & my child do so its like once a month that he was seeing my child. He became very demanding telling when and that I was going to leave my baby alone with him for a whole day. Thats when I stopped having any contact with him at all. He has said that he was going to stalk me (which I have proof of) and Im actually scared for mine and my childs safety when he is in town. He harrassed me to no end when I was pregnant til I literally almost had a miscarraige.
Is it my duty to file for establish of paternity? Honestly I dont think thats my duty if he wants rights to his child then he should have to do the work and obtain rights, correct? -
11-28-2011, 06:33 PMDogmatiqueRe: Unwed Mother Rights
It's not your duty.
It's your right.
You're going to have to accept though that if he wants to be Dad he WILL be eventually taking your child out of state (likely not at this point though, as a general rule) for visitation once he gets a court order.
The court will trust your decision that he's fine parenting material. He'll be allowed to parent his child the way he sees fit, without you present. Eventually for overnights, weekends and entire weeks at a time. -
11-28-2011, 06:38 PMthe_dizzleRe: Unwed Mother Rights
I spke with a lawyer and he said to make myself completely invisible from hiim, dont respond to anything and even move if I need to. He has harrassed me, talked down to me, and everything else. I have tried to work with him but its his way or the highway.
Eventually when and if he decides to take me to court Im sure he will get visitiation rights.
But do I HAVE to let him see my child in the meantime not having any legal ties to my child? -
11-28-2011, 06:40 PMDogmatiqueRe: Unwed Mother RightsOh really?Quote:
Quoting the_dizzle
The attorney advised you to hide the child? I'd be reporting that attorney. Hiding the child deliberately to thwart the other parent's access - even if it's not court ordered - can SERIOUSLY backfire on YOU.
Heck, there was a case here not too long ago where the mother actually lost custody for doing just that.
No, you don't have to.Quote:
He has harrassed me, talked down to me, and everything else. I have tried to work with him but its his way or the highway.
Eventually when and if he decides to take me to court Im sure he will get visitiation rights.
But do I HAVE to let him see my child in the meantime not having any legal ties to my child?
It's sad, but what I'm seeing here is that this is not about the child but about your feelings for Dad. I hope I'm wrong.