Does anyone know the abandonment laws in minnesota? Can I file for support without giving the father any rights?

Does anyone know the abandonment laws in minnesota? Can I file for support without giving the father any rights?

What kind of rights are we talking? Has any custody ever been legally settled? Has anything ever gone through court? Is Dad's name on the birth certificate? Did he sign an avidavit of paternity when the child was born?

nothing has ever gone to court. Dad is on birth certificate. Dad threatened harm if support was established.

nothing has ever gone to court. Dad is on birth certificate. Dad threatened harm if support was established.

You file for support and paternity is established then he has the right to file for visitation and/or custody. Depending on the laws in your state his name on the BC may not qualify as paternity being established and without a court order for support that can't be used against him for abandonment either. Each state is different in the time period, varying between 6 months to a year of no contact and/or (again depending on state) support. Neither of these may come into play in your case however depending on the situation. Plus, once he contacts and/or attempts to contact that starts things over. If he files for visitation and he is found to be the father you can pretty much count on the fact that he will get it. Depending on the situation it may start out as supervised and eventually unsupervised.

You can file for support, but you need to comply with court rules for notice and service to the father. You may be able to be represented by the state's attorney or prosecutor child support division. Also, if there is no compelling reason for not seeking support until now, you may not get arrears.