Q: Can a father voluntary give up his parental rights in NJ, giving sole custody to the mother, if both parties agree?
Can the father give up his rights prior to the child being born if both parties agree and mother does not need financial assistance of any kind? The parties are not married and are no longer in a relationship. The father has not been involved or shown any interest in being involved in the child's life since finding out I was pregnant.
A: Without someone waiting to step into the father's shoes and adopt the child, the father cannot just walk away from his legal ties to the child or his obligation to pay child support. However, with the help of an attorney the parties can have a Consent Order prepared giving the mother sole custody of the child. Father is still legally obligated to pay child support.
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