Ormond Beach, FL asked in Family Law for Florida

Q: I have a 17-year-old who is going to be a father.

His girlfriend's mother wants their baby and told him he has no rights. What can I do so that if he wants to be in the child's life, which he does but he feels like it's hopeless, that he can not have this baby just adopted and they control what happens to the baby? He was in the foster system and I adopted him. He doesn't want to abandon his child like his family did.

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3 Lawyer Answers
Destardes Moore
PREMIUM
Destardes Moore
Answered
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: He can register with the Putative Father Registry. http://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/birth/Putative_Father/index.html

Pamela J. Fero and Terrence H Thorgaard agree with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
Answered
  • Freeeport, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Of course he can go to court to get visitation or custody. If paternity is established, he would also be obligated to pay child support.

1 user found this answer helpful

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
Answered
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: In addition to registering with the Putative Father Registry at http://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/birth/Putative_Father/index.html, I would suggest that he also file a petition to determine paternity. If he is in communication with the girlfriend, he should make efforts to be involved now, if possible, by attending doctor visits and providing support (financial) for the mother and/or supplies for the baby.

Also - please tell him to stop taking legal advice from people who are not attorneys.

Destardes Moore agrees with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

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