#ChildSupport #BirthCertificate #LegalIssues
Hey there! Can you believe the crazy situation I found myself in recently? So, turns out my ex-wife listed me as the father on her 9-year-old child’s birth certificate, even though I’ve never met the kid! Can you imagine the shock I felt when I found out about this after all these years?
### What Could This Mean for Me?
I’m sure you’re curious to know if this could negatively impact my life. It’s a valid concern, as having your name listed on a child’s birth certificate brings about legal responsibilities, including potential child support obligations. This unexpected twist could lead to complications down the road if not addressed properly.
### What Steps Can I Take?
First things first, it’s essential to seek legal counsel to understand your rights and options in this situation. Start by requesting a copy of the birth certificate to verify the information and gather documentation to support your claim that you’re not the child’s biological father.
– Consult with a family law attorney specializing in paternity cases
– Consider requesting a DNA test to definitively prove your non-paternity
– Review your state’s laws regarding paternity and the process for disestablishing paternity
– Keep communication with your ex-wife civil and seek mediation if necessary
### Final Thoughts
Remember, it’s crucial to address this issue promptly to avoid potential legal entanglements in the future. Your focus should be on protecting your rights and ensuring that you’re not unjustly burdened with responsibilities that aren’t yours. Stay informed, seek professional guidance, and take proactive steps to resolve this unexpected predicament. You’ve got this! 💪🏼
>This is a bit much for me to even comprehend, and I’m not signing anything.
Good, I’d also be hesitant to sign anything recognizing myself as a parent of a child that I’ve never heard of. Talk to a family practice attorney to figure out your next move. Whatever you do, don’t ignore this.
This will for sure impact your life in many ways.
One way it could present an issue is if your ex ever seeks government assistance. As the “parent” the government will go after you for repayment. They can even garnish wages without much in the way of notice.
I don’t think you said what state you’re in (if you did, I’m sorry I missed it) but in our state you have to file something to disestablish parentage.
Do not sign something to allow the new boyfriend to adopt because that further acknowledges that you are the biological father.
You want to contact a family law attorney and you want to do it soon. The ideal outcome would be to unwind paternity altogether and have a new birth certificate issued. Usually the opportunity to contest paternity is a short window after the child’s birth, but there may be a new countdown based on when you first learned you were named as the father depending on your local laws.
NAL but I saw a similar post to this awhile ago in this sub, and several lawyers mentioned that some states have a limited time to petition paternity, so you may want to look into how much time you have in Florida.
First, lawyer up. Second, demand a paternity test.
The legal paternity might still be a thing, but the DNA, if not a match, will go a long way to clearing you of responsibility. If it is a match, then you can gun for access to the child, custody, etc.
Most states have a law that if a child is born during a marriage, or within 10 months after a divorce, the man is the presumed/legal father. You don’t have to sign paperwork or do a paternity test, you’re automatically considered the father. You can be held responsible for child support and you have all the same legal obligations that you would have for a biological child.
In some states, there’s a “good cause” process that you would have to go through if you want to remove yourself as the father. Essentially a judge has to agree to release you as the father. Sometimes they won’t do that unless the biological father is named and paternity is proven.
Some country do that when you are married, in any case consult a lawyer about being write out of the birth certificate and of course don’t sign anything before a lawyer checking it first
Well a negative dna test would be a good thing for courts etc… sounds she listed you so the kid would be officially fatherless. Sounds like you should retain a family law attorney. To sort all this out
Don’t sign anything, find an attorney ASAP.
NAL
If you are listed as the father, it could be used to force you to fulfill certain legal and/or financial responsibilities to the child. One common issue for guys in similar situations is that they end up forced to pay child support.
You should find out for sure whether you are legally considered the father. If so, you need to hire a lawyer to change that.
I’d get a lawyer ASAP, don’t let her know tho. Depending where you’re at, even with a DNA test you may be responsible for back child support as well as future support. I would get a Lawyer Asap on the downlow if she truly is a liar. She may be baiting you to sign papers so he can adopt the kid but that could prove that you acknowledge it’s yours which puts you on the hook.
You need a lawyer and contest the paternity immediately.
Given the timeline, how can you be sure you *aren’t* the biological father?
You need a lawyer. This could be an issue if not handled properly.
Best case scenario is you sign away paternity and the boyfriend adopts legally.
You’re lucky she never filed for child support or went on cash aid. You really need to speak to a family law attorney in that state for help. I don’t think you can contest paternity any longer because the child is 9 years old. You need help from an actual attorney in the child’s home state so they can give you your legal options.
Uh, yes. Hire an attorney.
See an attorney asap and petition to have your name removed from birth certificate. Birthdate and court date where she lied to judge can prove she lies in court. Also it will stop her or anyone else from coming after you for back child support. If anything happens to mom whoever gets custody of child may come after you for it. You’ll probably need a court ordered DNA test to prove it.
DO NOT IGNORE THIS.
Hire a lawyer, you need to get your name off the birth certificate.