Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Massachusetts

Q: Do I have to provide information to my child’s father if he hasn’t been in their life for over 6years?

My child’s father has not been in their life for over 6years. During that time I have had them full time with no help from him in any way. He does not pay any child support. He does call about once a month. Recently he has been asking for their information everything from school/medical records to friends names and their parents phone numbers. I’m not sure what the sudden interest in these things are but it’s very sudden. He does not live in MA I’m actually not sure where he is but he moved away years ago. I am uncomfortable with giving him this information he has a history of just taking our child and leaving for days, do I have to provide this info to him? Also if I take him to court for custody do I have a chance at losing? I’m worried about it constantly and just want to get it over with. Also my child doesn’t wish to have him involved in their life, does their age, being they’re younger mean they won’t have a say in what choices are made involving them?

2 Lawyer Answers
Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Woburn, MA
  • Licensed in Massachusetts

A: There sounds like a lack of relationship over a lengthy period of time and the Court is sensitive to the effect of father's suddenly attempting to regain contact where there had been no regularity. Asking for contact information about other people is indeed odd and really not your information to give out freely without consent. I don't see a down side to returning to Court to Modify existing orders if needed to protect the child's interests. You don't have an address either and that is a concern!

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Worcester, MA
  • Licensed in Massachusetts

A: I would just add that if you do return to court, you should ask for child support to be ordered. Even if there is no realistic hope of him ever paying, it may be enough of a deterrent to keep him at a distance. There is no connection between custody and child support, so even if he is ordered to pay child support, it gives him no better chance of gaining custody (which I don't see any possibility of).

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