Bob Whiteside wrote:
"Werebat" wrote in message
news:lDLpe.28704$iU.23146@lakeread05...

I'd be fine with that if the wording didn't imply that the father is the
only parent who is financially responsible for the child, and/or if Mom
also had some document she were required to sign in order to get her
name on the birth certificate -- a document that specifically required
ber to agree to be financially responsible for the child.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.


You are overlooking one significant fact. The mother signed the child's
birth certificate at the hospital and her doctor signed it too as a witness
to the birth. And by operation of state law as the documented parent of the
child she has financial responsibility for the child, so no additional
declaration by her is necessary.

Then have the declaration of paternity reflect that, and not imply that
the father and the father alone is responsible for the child's financial
well-being. Come on -- this isn't rocket science, people.

It's not like the mother doesn't need to be present to sign the thing
anyway -- she does!


The question for you to answer for yourself is simple - Do you want your
name on the child's birth certificate as the father? If the answer is "no"
don't sign the Declaration of Paternity. If the answer is "yes" you can
sign the declaration now or later. Birth certificates can be changed at
later dates. In fact, the mother can ask that the child's father's name be
removed from a birth certificate.

You are using one injustice to "justify" another. Did a Master's
ability to rape his female slaves somehow justify his ability to beat
his other slaves? No, it did not -- although no doubt lawyers of the
time may have sought to use legalese to "prove" this.


Since you were not married to the child's mother it is most likely state law
prohibits the mother from placing your name on the birth certificate.
Usually, a married mother can only place her husband's name on the child's
birth certificate as the father.

The only other option you have is to get a court order directing the state
to add your name to the child's birth certificate. That option will cost
you time and money to accomplish the same results as just signing the
declaration of paternity.

No document can be rightfully called "voluntary" if choosing not to sign
it means signing away legal rights to your child.

Period.

End. Of. Story.

- Ron ^*^