SupportingUncle
Junior Member
Hi Everyone,
I am an American currently living in Thailand and supporting my 5 year old nephew. He was born out of wedlock to an American man and my Thai sister in law. They were living together at the time in Bangkok. The father has since returned to the United States and is living in the Washington D.C. area. (Could be any of the surrounding states or the District of Columbia.) My sister in law is employed as a waitress in Thailand and does not earn sufficient money to support the child. The father has never supported the child or acknowledged him, and broke up with my sister in law upon learning of the pregnancy.
My question is whether or not it is possible to compel the father in the United States to recognize the child and pay support. In order for the child to receive American citizenship, the father must agree to support the child until he is 18. The only way that will happen is if the father is forced to do so by court order.
The financial costs of supporting my nephew currently include school for the child as well as health expenses in addition to food, shelter and clothing. School is not cheap at approximately $5000/year. In addition to citizenship I would like to see the father contribute to those costs. The father is an African American man who was attached to the US government over here on assignment, however it is unclear whether he is an actual government employee or merely works for a contractor who provides services to the US government. Background information is the fact that the boy has dark skin and it will create difficulties for him in Thailand, where dark skin is seriously discriminated against. I love the boy and will do everything I can to help him, but I am not wealthy myself. Furthermore, I am of the firm belief that a boy needs a relationship with his father, even if it is one compelled by a court of law.
Can anyone comment on whether it possible to compel the father to take responsibility for his son under these circumstances, and if so, what would be required to begin the process? Also, if it is possible, can anyone estimate how much it would cost in legal fees to bring this case to court? My sister in law's English is not very good, but she would support any action necessary in this instance. Unfortunately, she does not have visa to go to the United States, and it is unlikely she would qualify for a tourist visa if she applied.
Thank you for any advice or recommendations.
I am an American currently living in Thailand and supporting my 5 year old nephew. He was born out of wedlock to an American man and my Thai sister in law. They were living together at the time in Bangkok. The father has since returned to the United States and is living in the Washington D.C. area. (Could be any of the surrounding states or the District of Columbia.) My sister in law is employed as a waitress in Thailand and does not earn sufficient money to support the child. The father has never supported the child or acknowledged him, and broke up with my sister in law upon learning of the pregnancy.
My question is whether or not it is possible to compel the father in the United States to recognize the child and pay support. In order for the child to receive American citizenship, the father must agree to support the child until he is 18. The only way that will happen is if the father is forced to do so by court order.
The financial costs of supporting my nephew currently include school for the child as well as health expenses in addition to food, shelter and clothing. School is not cheap at approximately $5000/year. In addition to citizenship I would like to see the father contribute to those costs. The father is an African American man who was attached to the US government over here on assignment, however it is unclear whether he is an actual government employee or merely works for a contractor who provides services to the US government. Background information is the fact that the boy has dark skin and it will create difficulties for him in Thailand, where dark skin is seriously discriminated against. I love the boy and will do everything I can to help him, but I am not wealthy myself. Furthermore, I am of the firm belief that a boy needs a relationship with his father, even if it is one compelled by a court of law.
Can anyone comment on whether it possible to compel the father to take responsibility for his son under these circumstances, and if so, what would be required to begin the process? Also, if it is possible, can anyone estimate how much it would cost in legal fees to bring this case to court? My sister in law's English is not very good, but she would support any action necessary in this instance. Unfortunately, she does not have visa to go to the United States, and it is unlikely she would qualify for a tourist visa if she applied.
Thank you for any advice or recommendations.