Full question:
I am raising my 22 month old granddaughter, my daughter is immature, makes wrong choices and has an on going drug problem. My granddaughters father was a 48 year old man married to a close family friend; who had watched my daughter grow up. I was extremely upset and I attempted to press charges against him for her being a minor. Because of the situation and his wife. He never cared to see the baby until recently when he saw her picture. Today I received a summons, which his name and public aid child support division were the petitioners and I am the respondant. They want me to appear in court and if I do not appear to that I may be responsible for my grandchild until 18 years of age and for my daughters pregnancy and delivery fees. I work full time, but I receive a medical card for the baby. Going into court, with he and the support division appearing, I am thinking he is trying to establish paternity try to take the baby (though his name is not on the birth certificate). This would hurt me beyond words. I consider him a child molester. I wanted to know what they can do if I do not go to this hearing?
- Category: Courts
- Date:
- State: National
Answer:
If you receive a summons and do not appear in court, you risk losing the chance to present your side. The court may issue a default judgment against you, meaning the other party automatically wins. The consequences depend on what the petitioners are requesting. Additionally, failing to respond can lead to being held in contempt of court.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.