Relinquishing his rights

[Anonymous]

I already replied to this in the Single parent section, but one more thing -- I think in Maryland the courts will not terminate parental rights if it is a money issue for the paernt giving up their rights.

[Anonymous]

OP here, he is technically not terminating parental rights - that cannot be done voluntarily. So my DC is still his "heir" for any inheritance, etc (not that this matters - there is nothing). So he is giving up all custody and rights. So I am free to make all decisions, move where ever I want, travel wherever and whenever with no permission. In exchange for that I would not require child support. Per my attorney's - you cannot make someone visit and I will have to fight him in court to get any of the money anyhow. So in my case if may make sense. He is an unreliable parent and person in general. He will never keep a consistent schedule or support payments. But he is basically dropping out of my DC's life - he is incredibly selfish & a shell of a person who is incapable of truly caring about anyone. This breaks me heart for my DC who will always feel abandoned no matter how much love I give.

If my circumstances change I can take him back to court for support and he can do the same to get back involved. In the meantime he could still request visitation but that is highly unlikely since giving up his rights is his idea - not mine. He didn't even request a reduction in the support payments (has only paid 3 out of 8 anyhow).

For all his faults I never thought he would do this.....I could never walk away from my child.

[Anonymous]

IF he doesn't want to participate, he won't - even if you don't go for this. He just wants you to let him off the hook for the money.

Right now, you can always do the child support through wage garnishment...

[Anonymous]

I hope the people replying have some experience with being a single parent. The father of OP's child could be dragging her to court to FORCE visitation, he could try to get custody, try to change his child support obligation, insist on seeing the child for a half day each holiday -- it just goes on and on. If he really wants to terminate his rights, I would take him up on his offer if I were in OP's shoes. He can still be in the child's life later if the OP wants him to be, even if he terminates his "rights" (i.e., his obligation to pay child support). I would gladly go w/o child support if it meant not being at the mercy of the whims and emotions of my DC's father.

[Anonymous]

OP again, thanks 12:30 poster. That is where I am heading...I can't make him be a dad. I know there are some positive aspects to this but it it not what is best for my DC....

[Anonymous]

Good luck, OP!