Rights of a heartless father

This is coming from Texas. My 20 year old sister is three months pregnant, and she had planned to give the baby up for adoption. Recently, my sister got in touch with the father and told him the news. Initially, he told her that he wanted her to get an abortion. He said that if she kept the baby, it would screw up both their lives. Then he asked her if getting married was an option. Since they hardly know each other,let alone love each other, my sister said absolutely not. Then, he said that if she kept the baby, then it would screw him over because he would then have to pay child support. By the end of the conversation, he threatened her, saying he was going to get a lawyer and get custody of the baby, because he's in the airforce. This guy obviously doesn't care about the well being of the baby. What are his legal rights? Could he actually gain custody of the baby simply because he's the natural father? What should my sister do? She would rather see the baby adopted by a loving family rather that the natural father, who just doesn't care. Does the fact that he is in the military give him any leverage?

[LegalBeagle]

The chances of winning custody are slim to nil unless he has proof that she wants to adopt. Being in the AF gives him no extra rights. If he does not want the baby why does he not want to allow the adoption ?

I had just a thought about this post. If, when it comes down to signing the papers for adoption and there is a father listed, then by law, if it is a reputable adoption agency, then he would be required to be notified. Now that he has the knowledge that there is a baby, and the baby is his, then denying the fact would be a lie. When he finds out that the child is adopted, he could petition the court and get custody because he is the biological father. It could be devastating for the adoptive parents and costly also. If the mother lies, she could be charged with perjury, forgery, supressing known parentage and a few other things. I just want you to think further than the adoption. It would be wise for her to see an attorney and work out the legality before the adoption just to save her future problems.

[This message has been edited by Always searching (edited October 17, 2000).]