Can a father sign off parental rights to avoid child support obligations?

Full question:

My daughter will be 3 in July. Her father has only had contact once in the past year. He has seen her 8-10 times since her birth. He was paying chid support up until 3 months ago. He is addicted to meth and heroin. he has made the statement of signing of on his parental rights. I believe it is so he will get out of child support. Can he sign off rights and if he does is he still obligated to financial support? There is no other party who would be adopting her. If this was possible would most dead beats be wanting to sign off?

  • Category: Divorce
  • Subcategory: Child Support
  • Date:
  • State: Oregon

Answer:

Laws vary by state, but generally, a parent cannot sign away their parental rights just to escape child support obligations. Courts prioritize the child's well-being, and allowing a parent to relinquish rights to avoid financial responsibility is typically not permitted if it harms the child.

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.

FAQs

You are not legally required to maintain contact with your child's father, especially if he is not actively involved in your child's life. However, if there are court orders regarding communication or visitation, you must follow those. It's important to prioritize your child's well-being in any decisions you make.