Full question:
My daughter got pregnant while going to college in Utah. The father asked her to abort or put the child up for adoption. She chose to have the baby and returned to Utah with the baby for school. She lets him see the child on Sundays because his parents mostly want to see the child .. now he is threatening her with court to see the child every other weekend giving the reason of being to plan for his social life and to get his mother off his back. What should my daughter do to protect herself? Her and the child are still residence of NH and she does not want to be forced to stay there after school.
- Category: Paternity
- Date:
- State: New Hampshire
Answer:
To address custody and visitation issues, your daughter may need to consider legal action. The father can establish custody rights by filing a paternity lawsuit in court. Both parents are responsible for providing for their child, regardless of their relationship status. If they cannot agree on child support, a court may intervene and determine the amount each parent must contribute.
In cases where parents are unmarried, decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and upbringing can be contested. If there is disagreement, a court can decide who has the right to make these decisions. A paternity action is a civil lawsuit that can be initiated by certain parties, including the mother, the alleged father, or a state agency in cases of neglect.
A court will not automatically order paternity tests; it will review the case to see if there is enough evidence to justify such a test. If ordered, the mother, child, and alleged father will be tested at a designated facility. The court's determination of paternity is final and will be necessary for establishing the child's rights.
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.