purple.minion
Junior Member
What is the name of your state. Nevada. Went to our first child support hearing yesterday. NCP has not seen the child since 3 months. He is now almost 4 years. I have had no contact with the father, but we live in the same town and have done nothing to prevent him seeing the child. I was unrepresented, he wasn't present, but represented by a lawyer. I did not know this was allowed in child support court, but before proceedings his attorney asked to serve me a letter asking if he could terminate his parental rights, and waive child support. The judge informed me because I was unrepresented, and she had no jurisdiction I did not have to reply.
He then proceeded to try to prevent paternity from being established (despite the fact a paternity tests had been done, and his name was already on the birth certificate).
He then argued to have the amount of child support lowered from 700/month to 500/month, the state did not agree, the amount was temporarily set at 700. (CHAP medicaid case, and he owes money to the state.) The amount of arrears was to be determined at another date.
He served me a letter that he "tried" to serve me before that court date, but I couldn't be located as the NCP is not allowed to have my address (domestic violence). Not word for word but it is along the lines of:
Paternity testing confirms my client is the father. He says you have spoken about termination of parental rights to third party. He will consent I will draw up paperwork as it is in the child's best interest. You will not take action in child support against my client and your child will have no right to his estate. You have brought up a child support case if this case is not dropped to establish paternity and child support I will represent him. We hope to terminate rights before that time.
If you do not terminate rights he will force custody and visitation. If you do not accept termination the court will likely gradually increase time spent with him, and eventually grant joint custody including 50% visitation. We will also ask his last name reflect that of the fathers.
So
I will be consulting with an attorney. I didn't know you could voluntarily terminate your parental rights. I'm also wondering how likely any of his last statement is. For the record he has 2 DUIs, battery and Domestic violence. I want to know if it is possible to negotiate a lump sum payment of arrears and medical bills (for the child, totalling about $800) as it is considerably less than a lifetime of child support and then discuss termination of his rights. I have epilepsy, I recently went through a period I couldn't work for 3 months, and want to make sure my son is taken care of in the event I can't work again, that is the only reason I have sought child support.
He then proceeded to try to prevent paternity from being established (despite the fact a paternity tests had been done, and his name was already on the birth certificate).
He then argued to have the amount of child support lowered from 700/month to 500/month, the state did not agree, the amount was temporarily set at 700. (CHAP medicaid case, and he owes money to the state.) The amount of arrears was to be determined at another date.
He served me a letter that he "tried" to serve me before that court date, but I couldn't be located as the NCP is not allowed to have my address (domestic violence). Not word for word but it is along the lines of:
Paternity testing confirms my client is the father. He says you have spoken about termination of parental rights to third party. He will consent I will draw up paperwork as it is in the child's best interest. You will not take action in child support against my client and your child will have no right to his estate. You have brought up a child support case if this case is not dropped to establish paternity and child support I will represent him. We hope to terminate rights before that time.
If you do not terminate rights he will force custody and visitation. If you do not accept termination the court will likely gradually increase time spent with him, and eventually grant joint custody including 50% visitation. We will also ask his last name reflect that of the fathers.
So
I will be consulting with an attorney. I didn't know you could voluntarily terminate your parental rights. I'm also wondering how likely any of his last statement is. For the record he has 2 DUIs, battery and Domestic violence. I want to know if it is possible to negotiate a lump sum payment of arrears and medical bills (for the child, totalling about $800) as it is considerably less than a lifetime of child support and then discuss termination of his rights. I have epilepsy, I recently went through a period I couldn't work for 3 months, and want to make sure my son is taken care of in the event I can't work again, that is the only reason I have sought child support.