German Paternity & Child Support

[BrunetteTraveler]

Jurisdiction

California

A close relative was invited by a German recording label to come and sing with them. While there, the woman became pregnant by one of the producers. He sent her back to the States to have her baby so, "She could be close to her family." He didn't want to give the baby, a son, his last name but agreed to have his own name on the birth certificate. They were never married. He lives in Germany, the relative & her son live in the States. They are on amiable terms and he gives her money unofficially. He is a well known artist in his country and becoming well known in the US as well. What is the possibility that the mother could get a legal jurisdiction stating the German father is bound by law to provide for the child?

 

[adjusterjack]

I'm sure that Germany has family courts and child support laws.

And lawyers.

She can contact a lawyer in Germany where the guy lives and take him to court for support.

Although I can't imagine why she would go through all that expense and hassle if he's already sending her money voluntarily.

By the way, since the father's name is on the birth certificate, the kid does have his father's last name legally in the US. She's free get the kid a social security card under the name Fritz Sinatra (an example), register him for school with that name and he can use that name for the rest of his life.

 

[BrunetteTraveler]

Thank you for your reply. You've shed some light on this subject for me. The reason she needs to lock it in is that while they're on friendly terms now, should he ever change his mind, there's no legal reason why he can't just walk away. It would be secure to have this locked in.

 

[adjusterjack]

Yes, there would be a legal reason why he can't just walk away.

He's the kid's father biologically and legally (on the birth certificate).

Courts in the US and in Germany would hold him responsible.

 

[army judge]

She might need a lawyer.

Paternity must established.

Signing a birth certificate often isn't enough to establish paternity.

Generally, those who IMPREGNATE don't COMPENSATE.

Collecting child support from an IMPREGNATOR living in Idaho, while the IMPREGNATED resides in Maine is very difficult; very often impossible.

Yes, the law says YES.

The law also says murder is illegal.

We both know laws are meaningless to miscreants and scofflaws.

The California state child support agency might help:

California Child Support Self Service - Participant Services


Have her read this:

International | Office of Child Support Enforcement | Administration for Children and Families

 

[BrunetteTraveler]

Thank you for the links. They are proving helpful.