What is the name of your state? Texas.
I have a daughter who will be 15 in January. Her father and I were together in high school, never married. I filed for child support and original orders were done in April 1991.
He never requested a Paternity Test- although he was advised to do so by the Texas Atty General- since we were never married. He said he didn't need one, he knew she was his (and she is) and signed off.
Fast forward 13 years....he has married and his wife met my daughter for the first time this past summer at a family function.....my daughter does not see him on a regular basis, and the only reason she was present at the family function was a cousin on her father's side- not because HE took her. He sporadically pays child support- we have been going to quarterly hearings since he does not pay on a regular basis- where he is somehow able to come up with $400-$500 to avoid going to jail.
Well, he called before Christmas, stating that his wife is CONVINCED that this child is not his, and has convinced him that he needs to take a paternity test (dna) to prove. She has also apparently decided that when it comes back that he is NOT the father (it won't), that he will then sue me.
He said that if I DON'T agree to this, then it will be as though I'm admitting she might not be his, and he'll force me to do it, or get a default judgement.
I have no issue with this as far as proving anything- my issue is telling my 15 year old that all of a sudden her father has decided he isn't anymore- and at her age, this will be hurtful = because as much as she doesn't see him or there is no relationship- the fact that she knows him at all- and he's 'out there' is somehow comforting to her (vs. friends of hers who don't even know who their fathers are)...
Can I be forced to do this? If I refuse, then what?
Thanks
I have a daughter who will be 15 in January. Her father and I were together in high school, never married. I filed for child support and original orders were done in April 1991.
He never requested a Paternity Test- although he was advised to do so by the Texas Atty General- since we were never married. He said he didn't need one, he knew she was his (and she is) and signed off.
Fast forward 13 years....he has married and his wife met my daughter for the first time this past summer at a family function.....my daughter does not see him on a regular basis, and the only reason she was present at the family function was a cousin on her father's side- not because HE took her. He sporadically pays child support- we have been going to quarterly hearings since he does not pay on a regular basis- where he is somehow able to come up with $400-$500 to avoid going to jail.
Well, he called before Christmas, stating that his wife is CONVINCED that this child is not his, and has convinced him that he needs to take a paternity test (dna) to prove. She has also apparently decided that when it comes back that he is NOT the father (it won't), that he will then sue me.
He said that if I DON'T agree to this, then it will be as though I'm admitting she might not be his, and he'll force me to do it, or get a default judgement.
I have no issue with this as far as proving anything- my issue is telling my 15 year old that all of a sudden her father has decided he isn't anymore- and at her age, this will be hurtful = because as much as she doesn't see him or there is no relationship- the fact that she knows him at all- and he's 'out there' is somehow comforting to her (vs. friends of hers who don't even know who their fathers are)...
Can I be forced to do this? If I refuse, then what?
Thanks