I don’t want to be a deadbeat parent

Written by Mary Huntsman, Esq. 

A couple days ago, a father was in my office with a look of desperation on his face.  As the consultation continued, I learned that he was in a relationship and had a baby.  The relationship had since ended but he had fallen absolutely in love with his baby girl and was desperate to be a part of her life and help raise her.  All he wanted was to not be a deadbeat parent, but was facing hurdles with his ex who felt he did not deserve to be a part of the child’s life.

Often the news focuses on deadbeat parents and those parents who do not want to continue to raise their children.  However, as with my client, this is not always the case.  Some parents want to continue being a part of their child’s life and sometimes face difficulties doing that.

It goes against all reason and logic but some parents don’t want their ex to be able to continue to parent their child.  This is when it is time to get help from a family law attorney.  In divorce cases with minor children, custody now known as “time sharing” is part of the parenting plan that must be put in place before a divorce is granted — but when parties are not married it is too easy to just part ways leaving the issue of time sharing up in the air.

If you are facing this problem please contact our office and ask to speak with an attorney about establishing paternity and getting a parenting plan in place establishing your right to continue being a part of the minor child.