Q: Do I need to get custody of my grandson if I have had him since birth, his father has never paid child support
My daughter died in 2004 from accident, she was never married but has a son, she lived with me before having an accident, and after being paralyzed, the child's father is on the birth certificate he never paid child support when my daughter died the order died also is what the state told me, my daughter left funds from an accident for her child, no Will, my grandson is now 15 and the father has appeared, he never showed in court for the conservotorship or anything dealing with the funds, i fear he has appeared because of the funds becoming available in 3 years when my grandson becomes 18, i have asked him to sign for a passport for my grandson i will buy it because I travel often, he refuses, can I apply for this document when he turns 16, do I need to get custody to stop him from potentially mishandling my daughter and grandson funds. What are my options? Can i request back child support?
A: If he was never declared the legal father by a Court, he has no say over the child now. However, you should still obtain a guardianship over your grandson if you have not already, which will allow you to get a passport for him. When your grandson turns 18, he is the only one with access to the funds his mother has left him, the father will never have legal access to your grandson's inheritance.
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