Please Help!!

[scaredconfused]

Hi I'm writing b/c I'm scared and confused and would like some answers. I'm 25 and about 7 weeks pregnant. The father is 19 and we are not together nor have we ever been. He refuses to acknowledge the pregnancy or that he is the father. He is in denial and no longer wants me to contact him at all. As of right now I'm trying to weigh my options and decide what would be best for the child. I have a college degree and a very good job. I would financially be able to support the child with out any help from the father. I'm strongly considering adoption or having the child and raising it alone. FYI I live in atlanta,ga.
Questions?
In order to put the child up for adoption does the dad have to give the okay or have to be contacted??
Can I put the child up for adoption even if denies paternity?
Can I make the father legally give medical records etc for the baby's future health sake?
If I have the child does the father have to be contacted after the birth and what rights would he have?
When should i contact a lawyer if i decide to put the child up for adoption or have the child??
(Money for a lawyer isn't a probem if it saves me from having drama with the father now or in the future)
Thank you very much. I apperciate it.

 

[Duranie]

You are going to have to establish paternity if you want to give the child up for adoption/ There is no way around that. Dad is young and seems like he has no interest at all. You can let him know of your plants to place the baby up for adoption and he will need to terminate his rights.

If by some chance you decide to keep the child, it is up to you if you want to file for child support from Dad. Raising a child on your own will be hard but not impossible.

On the other hand, there are alot of great adoption agencies out there and you can even help select the family for your child. Thik about both options carefully.

Good luck

 

[seekinghelp]

Why do you want to have the baby adopted? I suggest you have the child and raise the child yourself. You should also seek help from your parents. Seems like the father of the baby is too young and immature. Don't bother telling him your plans, if possible.

 

[Duranie]

Lots of people give babies up for adoption. The poster is obviosly overwhelmed and perhaps not ready to be a parent. Sometimes children are better off being raised by people that want to be parents. Only she can make the decision if the child is better off with someone else.

She can seek help from her parents but this baby is going to be her responsibility. If she is not up to the challenge, then she can give the child a loving home to someone else.

You CANNOT not tell the father if you plan on giving the baby up for adoption. He will have to permit it and give up rights. That might not be a big issue if he is not interested.

You cannot give up a baby, legally, without future legal problems without properly terminating rights. Otherwise Dad can get an attorney and dispute the adoption which will cause heartache for everyone involved including the adoptive parents. There has been several cases recently of mothers doing this.

The bottom line is, Fathers do have rights and they cannot be totally ignored. Fathers do have a right to custody if the mother does not want the child.

The Dad sounds pretty young, so maybe he will consent to the adoption without any problems.

Good luck