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I am from Illinois and my Son's Father is from Wisconsin.
I became pregnant at the age of 17 (almost 10 years ago!!). The Father decided the Army would be a great way to "escape". On one of his leaves from the Army we had to go to the courthouse and establish paternity and custody. The Father signed documents stating that he is the biological father of my child (no DNA testing needed, for he was definetly the father). At this time we were TRYING to rekindle a relationship for the sake of our new baby. I belive we signed papers for joint custody with physical placement with me thinking that this "love" would last.....WRONG!! STUPID NAIVE LITTLE GIRL I WAS!!
So, today....My Son is 9 years old. He doesn't see his father at all. Doesn't get phone calls from him.... NOTHING! About 3 years ago... he stood my son up on his birthday. They were supposed to go out together and he never showed up or called!!!
Within the last 5 years, I would say my son has seen his Dad 3 times (actually spending the day together). I do get child support from him though.. My son might see his "father" very briefly when he goes to visit his Aunt (fathers sister) but his "father" never stays long (15 mins or so according to my son). This ticks me off because when my son comes home from visiting, he ALWAYS talks about his dad and how they should to this and that more often. It tears me up inside.
About 3 years ago... The father told me he was going to relinquish his parental rights but his family talked him out of it. His Mom and Sister would call me and talk to me about it saying "Give him time, give him time" He had 6 years of "time" to realize he had a child... a awesome child in fact that he is missing out on!!
So I guess my question is.....(after that long story..sorry!)
Should I try to terminate his rights? If I should, how do I go about it? Or do I just go for Legal Custody, if infact I do have Joint Custody with him?
P.S I did want to mention that about 2 weeks or so after every visit my son has with his "father" my son gets very depressed. This is my main reason for these questions. My son has a great StepFather and I know he wants to call him Dad but he is afraid of what his "father" might think... It just breaks my heart!
Any advice would be great!
M
I became pregnant at the age of 17 (almost 10 years ago!!). The Father decided the Army would be a great way to "escape". On one of his leaves from the Army we had to go to the courthouse and establish paternity and custody. The Father signed documents stating that he is the biological father of my child (no DNA testing needed, for he was definetly the father). At this time we were TRYING to rekindle a relationship for the sake of our new baby. I belive we signed papers for joint custody with physical placement with me thinking that this "love" would last.....WRONG!! STUPID NAIVE LITTLE GIRL I WAS!!
So, today....My Son is 9 years old. He doesn't see his father at all. Doesn't get phone calls from him.... NOTHING! About 3 years ago... he stood my son up on his birthday. They were supposed to go out together and he never showed up or called!!!
Within the last 5 years, I would say my son has seen his Dad 3 times (actually spending the day together). I do get child support from him though.. My son might see his "father" very briefly when he goes to visit his Aunt (fathers sister) but his "father" never stays long (15 mins or so according to my son). This ticks me off because when my son comes home from visiting, he ALWAYS talks about his dad and how they should to this and that more often. It tears me up inside.
About 3 years ago... The father told me he was going to relinquish his parental rights but his family talked him out of it. His Mom and Sister would call me and talk to me about it saying "Give him time, give him time" He had 6 years of "time" to realize he had a child... a awesome child in fact that he is missing out on!!
So I guess my question is.....(after that long story..sorry!)
Should I try to terminate his rights? If I should, how do I go about it? Or do I just go for Legal Custody, if infact I do have Joint Custody with him?
P.S I did want to mention that about 2 weeks or so after every visit my son has with his "father" my son gets very depressed. This is my main reason for these questions. My son has a great StepFather and I know he wants to call him Dad but he is afraid of what his "father" might think... It just breaks my heart!
Any advice would be great!
M