Can absent fathers demand visitation?

[honestmom]

I have raised my 3yr old son with out any support from his father. I was recently told that there was a law in California which states that if a parent has not paid child support at anytime throughtout the child life, he/she has no right to demand/request custody. I only wish this was true, does anyone know?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by honestmom:
I have raised my 3yr old son with out any support from his father. I was recently told that there was a law in California which states that if a parent has not paid child support at anytime throughtout the child life, he/she has no right to demand/request custody. I only wish this was true, does anyone know?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


My response:

That is ABSOLUTELY false. Child support and visitation rights are TWO DIFFERENT issues, and one has nothing to do with the other.

Are there court orders in place for visitation, custody and child support? If not, why not.

IAAL


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[honestmom]

Alway's liable, I realize that child support and viaitation are two seperate things. In my case however they are closely related. I have choosen to keep myself and my son out of the "Family Court System" for many reasons. Mainy because I would rather work hard and struggle if necessary to support my child on my own. My son's father has no genuine interest in my son in a way shape or form, I have no interset in his money. I posted the question because I want to calrify my right's as the "custodial parent".

 

[LadyBlu]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by honestmom:
Alway's liable, I realize that child support and viaitation are two seperate things. In my case however they are closely related. I have choosen to keep myself and my son out of the "Family Court System" for many reasons. Mainy because I would rather work hard and struggle if necessary to support my child on my own. My son's father has no genuine interest in my son in a way shape or form, I have no interset in his money. I posted the question because I want to calrify my right's as the "custodial parent". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


What you need to realize is that if the *father* is aware the child is his, or even suspects it, he could petition the courts himself for visitation, custody and support.
It isnt only the right of the custodial parent to do these things.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

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[LegalBeagle]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by honestmom:
Alway's liable, I realize that child support and viaitation are two seperate things. In my case however they are closely related. I have choosen to keep myself and my son out of the "Family Court System" for many reasons. Mainy because I would rather work hard and struggle if necessary to support my child on my own. My son's father has no genuine interest in my son in a way shape or form, I have no interset in his money. I posted the question because I want to calrify my right's as the "custodial parent". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


and of course, if you had read other posts, as the legal parent he could also just take the child and then your only recourse would be court action.

Is it nice of you to allow the father to get away with not supporting the child, but is it fair that you have to stuggle and therefore the child suffers a 'little' ?b. I mean, would an extra $300 a month make a difference to the upbringing of the child ?