I am 16 weeks pregnant and going through this without the baby's father. I am not sure what to do about the birth certificate, my rights, and his rights. He said when he found out that I was pregnant that he could care less about it. Now, he's saying that the baby is not even his. I don't want anything from him nor do I want him to be apart of this child's life. He is a convicted felon and an abuser. What are my options in keeping him away from this child and stopping him from even trying to get any kind of visitation or custody?? I'm scared that should he get visitation or custody, he'd take this child and run somewhere just to hurt me. He is that kind of person. What are my legal options??? Help!!!!

My suggestion for you is that you get him to sign away his rights while he still doesn't want to be involved in the child's life. I wish I would have done that when I had the chance any my ex boyfriend is nothing like yours sounds. I believe it is the best for the child and for you. If you do that, I would also not put his name on the birth certificate. That's just my opinion though. I know things are hard, especially on your own. I hope all is well and that all works out for the best. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going!
Melissa

In Maryland you have to be / been married (during the pregnancy) or have the father sign an affidavit of parentage to have his name put on the birth certificate or you could take him to court and force a legal finding of paternity, he can do the same but he would have to foot the bill (again in Maryland). I do know without his name on the birth certificate he has no right to your baby, until it is proven as such. My daughters� father�s name is not listed on her birth certificate. You can go to your states website to find more information, I recommend Department of Human Resources Virginia. Good luck!

Jenny

unless the fathers name is on the birth certificate he doesnt have any rights to the child. although i know you dont want to mess with him you need to file for child support. even if he never pays anything he will still have that hanging over his head for the rest of his life. and as far as his visitation if you do end up getting him on the birth certificate or have a dna test done and he wants visitation, with his back ground you should have to fight to much to have his visitation at least supervised by a county or state offical. hope that helps.
sondra

In the state of Texas the father has no parental rights until paternity is established. He would have sign the birth certificate and an acknowlegement of paternity to have any visitations.

hello
I hope things are getting clearer. I am a single mother of a 5 year old son. His father walked out of our lives before he was even born. He is not on the b-certificate, has never seen his son, and pays child support.
In MA, i believe, that if someone has a record like your baby's father that it should not be to hard to have no visitations. My sister is currently in a similar situation where the she is having a second child by a man who physically as well as mentally abused her. (while she was 3 weeks preg with her second child) he was in lock up for it and when he was released he married someone else, but claims that the child my sister carries is not his. She is worried that he will come back to MA and want full rights to his daughter (*not the new baby). She is afraid that he will take his anger out on the little girl and such. She is going for full custody with no visitation.

If you are looking for some sound advise i would contact your local office of child enforcments. Transitional aid office or women in need councelors...?

Hello, I understand completly what you are going through. i am also not sure on how the rights go. my daughter is 2 weeks old today. i didnt put her father on the birth certificate, he ran to boston to stay away from her so i am fine for now but i still dont know about gettin him to sign his rights over if you find out anything on how that goes will you let me know too. thank my email is dazingstar*hotmail.com

I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I myself am still deciding what to do with my unborn child and the father's rights. I do not make enough money to support this baby, but I am making sure that his name is on the birth certificate so that I won't end up with out child support. Depending on your situation and your opinion on receiving child support I would talk to someone at your local Human Services office about any questions you may have reguarding this.

Contact your nearest legal services provider. There may be little you can do just now, but knowing where you stand and what your options are should give you some peace of mind. Then you will also be prepared and hopefully not get caught off guard.

What's cool about where I live is that even if my ex signs over he parental rights, that only gets him off the hook as far as custody and decision making on behalf of our baby is concerned. The state will still go after him for child support and can even though he would sign away his parental rights. Because if I were to go for state aid in any way, and knowing who the father is, even if his name isn't on the birth cert. and knowing that he signed away his parental rights(which is by the way claiming paternity) the state will immediately go to my ex for the money for the support I am trying to get. Sucks for him, but that's the way it is here....it's nice, but scary for that parent who is thinking that by signing away their parental rights they are signing away paying for their child. I hope everything has worked out for you....let me know what happened.