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katiesmile
member
Does my ex boyfriend have the right to name our baby?
katiesmile
member
If we're not together, and he doesn't plan on being very active in baby's life, who gets to name the baby? Should it still be both of us, or just me as I'll be the parent who does most for them?
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Re: Does my ex boyfriend have the right to name our baby?
Please go and visit a family law attorney. You need to be very clear on what your rights are in regards to your child. You don't have to let him name the child. You don't have to put him on the birth certificate. If he wants to be listed as the dad, he can petition the courts to be put on. If you want to collect child support from him, you will need to file in court and they will order a DNA test. When he is found to be the father, his name will be added to the birth certificate and he will be ordered to pay child support. You can work out a visitation schedule at that time.
No, you don't. But, I personally think that you could discuss names you are thinking about and maybe get his opinion, but I think you should get final say.
No matter what his intentions are now, they could change once the baby is born. Also, you have a lifetime of parenting this child with him, no matter how involved it is. It wouldn't hurt to get off on the right foot, and keep him in the loop. (Keep in mind, I don't know back story, if he's abusing or dangerous, forget what I just said.)
(oh, and I total agree, go see a family law attorney and know your rights.)
Once I had the names narrowed down to two, I informed my ex what they were. He gave me his opinion, but I ultimately picked the one I thought fit my son the best, once he was born. You do not have to let him have any say in the name.
I don't know what state you live in, so I don't know the laws, but where I lived, if the father was not present for the birth, you couldn't even put him on the birth cert at the hospital. Even after establishing paternity, he was still not put down as the father on the birth cert.
Make sure you find out your legal rights in your state, as soon as possible. It'll do wonders for your stress level, if you already know what your ex can and can't do.
Good luck to you!
No, he doesn't. That's a Federal thing. While all states have different laws and rules once the baby is BORN, unmarried expectant fathers have no rights until the baby is born. (You can thank Roe v Wade for that). Even then, I think paternity HAS to be established before he has a say in anything usually through a form or court order. You local Attorney General will have basic answers. If it gets too complicated, you can call a family attorney.
I recommend establishing paternity through the court,along with custody and visitation. Once he's established as the father, and no other provisions are made, he has the EXACT SAME RIGHTS AS YOU. If you do it at the court hearing, they set up custody and visitation, as well. I watched a friend beg the police to make her ex give back their daughter, and the police couldn't do a thing...so, I'm a little more paranoid and untrusting than others.
Same for my state. THIS!
I also talked to a social worker, and a detective. If the ex is on the bc, he can take the child, and they can't do anything about it. If he is NOT on the bc, then if he tries to take the child, it's kidnapping. But again, every state is different.