I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to go about getting the procedures started on getting child support. The situation is my daughter is pregnant (4 months) and we couldn't be happier. The problem is the father is refusing to take any responsibility for his aactions. He doesn't want any contact with her or the child. He has stated he wants to sign away his rights as a father. The problem is we all know how expensive it can be to rasie a child and she is going to need the financial help. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to go about getting this started and when you should do it? Are there people that can help with this (without having to spend a small fortune)? We are in Texas. I would appreciate any advice you can give. If you have been in this same situation, please share your story with me. Thanks, HG

It is so nice to hear about grandparents who will help and support their pregnant daughters and unborn children. Your daughter is lucky! I'm not sure how to go about legal matters relating to child support. Have you contacted a local crisis pregnancy center or birthright? Perhaps they might be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck and best wishes. Kate

i'm not too sure how it all works out to tell you the truth. however, i dont think there is much that you can do if he chooses to sign away his parental rights. i do wish you the best of luck.

Well the first thing that the county will tell you is that they can't do anything until the baby is born (which really sucks!) Second, if he wants to sign his rights over, he may have a hard time. In Minnesota (where I'm from) a father can't sign his rights over unless there is someone else that is willing to adopt the baby and there are a few other scenarios. The reason for that makes sense--they don't want to have to provied funding for the child if the father isn't responsible for that. Sorry if this was kinda confusing. I hope this helped and feel free to e-mail me with anymore quesions. Good luck!
~Katie~

Hey HG!

I would definatley call your state's office of Child Support Enforcement- they may even have a website. They enforce parents who try to get out of paying their child support mostly, but they are also a good source of information about Child Support Laws in your state. I'm sure they would have someone there who would be helpful to you. Look them up in your phonebook, and if you can't find it, call your state's department of Human Services and ask about it. Good Luck!

First you cant do anything till the baby is born. Then you go to the domestic relations section at your local courthouse. They will have you fill out papers for a paternity test and child support. The fee is usually about $45. For this you need the fathers full name, address, social security number, and his parent's names and address. If he works you will also need the name and address of his employer. Any info you don't have can be looked up but if you know all this it makes it speedier. Then both the father and you will get papers in the mail. These will ask for more information and then you'll get a date for the paternity test and a court date. You will go to this and the court will rule depending on the results of the paternity test then as long as he is the father they will attach his wages and you're all done. Now if he doesn't pay or moves or changes jobs you might have to go back and file a modification but that will be later. Now if you want to help keep his rights to the child to a minimum then wait till you have the birth certificate (without him on it) and the social security card to file for support. If he wanted rights to the child he'd have to pay the $500 fee to change the birth certificate and go through a mountain of paperwork. Good luck. I've been there and its not fun but its best for the baby.
Sara