My Rights as a Father

[growan0331]

Hello, this is Greg Rowan and I just had a few questions involving my daughter and her mother. I live here in MN and my daughter lives with her mother in KY. Her mother just recently told me that my daughter needs to see a therapist for ADHD and also that she would like to change my daughters last name (not my last name) to her husband's last name. Some of the questions that I have are:

1. If I approve of my daughter having her mother's husband's last name, will my rights change at all or will he gain more rights from the name change?

2. As of right now there are no custody papers or court decisions appointing custody, should I just propose a custody agreement that me and my daughter's mother can agree upon and send it to the courts, or should I go to the courts directly and file custody papers?

3. Do I already have rights to access my daughter's school or medical records or will I need court ordered custody to have those rights?

4. My daughter has disclosed some information to me that I have not talked to her mother about concerning domestic violence and constantly moving around in the past and if I was to notify my daughter's therapist about these incidents, would the therapists be obligated or be able to tell my daughter's mother the information that I share with her?

 

[growan0331]

Also i do pay the court ordered child support and my name is also on my daughter's birth certificate as her father

 

[Proserpina]

Hello, this is Greg Rowan and I just had a few questions involving my daughter and her mother. I live here in MN and my daughter lives with her mother in KY. Her mother just recently told me that my daughter needs to see a therapist for ADHD and also that she would like to change my daughters last name (not my last name) to her husband's last name. Some of the questions that I have are:

1. If I approve of my daughter having her mother's husband's last name, will my rights change at all or will he gain more rights from the name change?

No, he will have no rights to your daughter, nor will you lose any rights.

2. As of right now there are no custody papers or court decisions appointing custody, should I just propose a custody agreement that me and my daughter's mother can agree upon and send it to the courts, or should I go to the courts directly and file custody papers?

Custody wasn't dealt with in the divorce?

Are you absolutely sure about that? That would be unusual. However, if that truly is the case you can either file a parenting plan yourself or have you and Mom agree to a plan and submit it to the court.

3. Do I already have rights to access my daughter's school or medical records or will I need court ordered custody to have those rights?

Yes, you have rights to your daughter's school information and some medical information (if she's old enough for reproductive health issues, they may not be included).

4. My daughter has disclosed some information to me that I have not talked to her mother about concerning domestic violence and constantly moving around in the past and if I was to notify my daughter's therapist about these incidents, would the therapists be obligated or be able to tell my daughter's mother the information that I share with her?

Yes, the therapist would be able to share the information. You can request that she doesn't, but if the therapist thinks it would help your daughter then she's probably going to go ahead and discuss it.

How old is your daughter?

Are you sure you want to allow the name change?

 

[army judge]

Hello, this is Greg Rowan and I just had a few questions involving my daughter and her mother. I live here in MN and my daughter lives with her mother in KY. Her mother just recently told me that my daughter needs to see a therapist for ADHD and also that she would like to change my daughters last name (not my last name) to her husband's last name. Some of the questions that I have are:

1. If I approve of my daughter having her mother's husband's last name, will my rights change at all or will he gain more rights from the name change?

2. As of right now there are no custody papers or court decisions appointing custody, should I just propose a custody agreement that me and my daughter's mother can agree upon and send it to the courts, or should I go to the courts directly and file custody papers?

3. Do I already have rights to access my daughter's school or medical records or will I need court ordered custody to have those rights?

4. My daughter has disclosed some information to me that I have not talked to her mother about concerning domestic violence and constantly moving around in the past and if I was to notify my daughter's therapist about these incidents, would the therapists be obligated or be able to tell my daughter's mother the information that I share with her?

First of all, I applaud you for trying to be in your daughter's life.

I commend you for being responsible and paying child support.

Now, I entreat you to hire a lawyer and ask him these questions.

Most of us are very smart and we try to give good advice to simple problems.

Proserpina has given you some sound and sage advice.

But, your daughter is too important to trust her and your relationship to a bunch of well meaning strangers on the internet.

Don't agree to do anything unless and until you speak about this with your own lawyer.

This a lawyer you will pay to represent you and your paternal rights.

Also, the child's mother can't do anything unless you agree.

Agreeing to something means she should give you something.

I don't know if you want anything or need anything, most people do.

Don't agree to anything without consulting your own attorney, an attorney that is focused on YOUR rights and the well being of your child; not the child's mother and the dude she married!

Your daughter reached out to you, help her.