Legalities Of Being A Father

[rafval]

I can understand that most ladies only want short term relationships with you and would not want you as a father for their children, thats fine, but altho we may both be farang it doesnt mean people relate to me in the same way as you, but thanks for your comments

Yes I do. Use Taksin as last name.

Should be very popular upcountry

you still involved with her or finish already

[leisurely]

I haven't read all of this thread, but there is more to being a father than a name (fraudulently) on a birth certificate.

[rafval]

so would it be fraudulant? you mean in a legal sence or is this a continuation of morality 101?

I haven't read all of this thread, but there is more to being a father than a name (fraudulently) on a birth certificate.

[leisurely]

Legally, morally......................................that's your shout.

[rafval]

thanks, I believe you can legally name yourself as a father to a child that you didnt sire in some western countries, or where I come from anyway, so i assumed you could here, but maybe not? if thats the case that ends the thread as I have no intention of breaking the law

Legally, morally......................................that's your shout.

[jts-khorat]

After the birth of my son I was simply asked to sign the respective papers at the hospital naming me as the father of the child; with those papers I went to the German embassy to get his birth registered and a passport ordered (took over a year to arrive).

No test was ever asked for, nor any other proof (to keep it all away from the moral aspect, as YOU DO KNOW that you are not the real father, while I was). This might be different for other nationalities.

At this time, my girlfriend and me were not married and never were.

Upcountry, it is by the way pretty usual for somebody else to be named as the father of the child if the real father is unknown or absent -- I know of several cases were even the brother or father of the girl is listed without anybody ever raising an eyelid.

This just as rebuttal to the poster who worried about the feelings of the kid; I think the overimportance in which biological fathership is held is a rather curious western concept if somebody else will then put in the emotional and financial burden of upbringing...

I think it more important a kid has a father than not; but others here seem to disagree. But again, I am digressing from the legal aspect.

Going further down the timeline; upon split up, my girlfriend simply took my son to live in another country with her new boyfriend. No legal rights were given to me by the Thai government, as they all stay with the mother (I could have fought the case in German court though).

On the flipside, she had no legal rights for payments or other financial help (also that might have been different if she would have involved German authorities). Just to pre-empt for me getting bashed for it, not having the right for financial aid does not mean that I do not follow my moral obligations.

Still, a very unhelpful and hurtful situation for me, but again, this would lead quickly away from the pure legal aspects.

This should sum up all the questions of the OP.

[rafval]

thanks for that, so in practical terms it really made no difference that you signed the papers?

After the birth of my son I was simply asked to sign the respective papers at the hospital naming me as the father of the child; with those papers I went to the German embassy to get his birth registered and a passport ordered (took over a year to arrive).

No test was ever asked for, nor any other proof (to keep it all away from the moral aspect, as YOU DO KNOW that you are not the real father, while I was). This might be different for other nationalities.

At this time, my girlfriend and me were not married and never were.

Upcountry, it is by the way pretty usual for somebody else to be named as the father of the child if the real father is unknown or absent -- I know of several cases were even the brother or father of the girl is listed without anybody ever raising an eyelid.

This just as rebuttal to the poster who worried about the feelings of the kid; I think the overimportance in which biological fathership is held is a rather curious western concept if somebody else will then put in the emotional and financial burden of upbringing...

I think it more important a kid has a father than not; but others here seem to disagree. But again, I am digressing from the legal aspect.

Going further down the timeline; upon split up, my girlfriend simply took my son to live in another country with her new boyfriend. No legal rights were given to me by the Thai government, as they all stay with the mother (I could have fought the case in German court though).

On the flipside, she had no legal rights for payments or other financial help (also that might have been different if she would have involved German authorities). Just to pre-empt for me getting bashed for it, not having the right for financial aid does not mean that I do not follow my moral obligations.

Still, a very unhelpful and hurtful situation for me, but again, this would lead quickly away from the pure legal aspects.

This should sum up all the questions of the OP.

[jts-khorat]

No, in practical terms it did not. Nobody asked for any verification at all.

However, as my tale will tell anybody, you open yourself to a lot of responsibility and potentially a world of pain after investing emotionally in a kid where the mother might have no other motive than securing a father initially and then going on to look for 'better alternatives' after time is not so pressing any more.

I neither do know you nor your girlfriend so I do not want to be so quick as other posters here to jump to any conclusions about your private situation or intentions from any side.

However, I personally cannot imagine a greater pain than being separated from ones own child (being the father biologically or emotionally -- it does not matter at all), so I want to put a big warning sign up here for you. Have a good look at it from all sides, before doing something you might regret later.

[rafval]

sure, thanks, I guess what I was wondering is, apart from any disadvantages to me, if it is any advantage to the child in signing the papers, I mean there is no point doing it if it isnt actually a help to the child

No, in practical terms it did not. Nobody asked for any verification at all.

However, as my tale will tell anybody, you open yourself to a lot of responsibility and potentially a world of pain after investing emotionally in a kid where the mother might have no other motive than securing a father initially and then going on to look for 'better alternatives' after time is not so pressing any more.

I neither do know you nor your girlfriend so I do not want to be so quick as other posters here to jump to any conclusions about your private situation or intentions from any side.

However, I personally cannot imagine a greater pain than being separated from ones own child (being the father biologically or emotionally -- it does not matter at all), so I want to put a big warning sign up here for you. Have a good look at it from all sides, before doing something you might regret later.

[a99az]

What more can be said, just this if you do wish to put your name on the child’s B/Cert. you can. If you want to register the birth in the UK you don’t have to be married to the mother but you must be single or divorced.

I would think this could be the same with other nationalities. As for being a benefit to your status here I don’t think that will help much.

I think that Guest House covered the rest.

Best of luck to you all. Graham

[Head Snake]

If you are an american, you may be required to pay child support until 18.

If she is looking for a surname, any name will do.

If you are working the visa angle, maybe you need to rethink how bad you need a visa.

[mpdkorat]

No, in practical terms it did not. Nobody asked for any verification at all.

However, as my tale will tell anybody, you open yourself to a lot of responsibility and potentially a world of pain after investing emotionally in a kid where the mother might have no other motive than securing a father initially and then going on to look for 'better alternatives' after time is not so pressing any more.

I neither do know you nor your girlfriend so I do not want to be so quick as other posters here to jump to any conclusions about your private situation or intentions from any side.

However, I personally cannot imagine a greater pain than being separated from ones own child (being the father biologically or emotionally -- it does not matter at all), so I want to put a big warning sign up here for you. Have a good look at it from all sides, before doing something you might regret later.

If you had been married you would have rights, but you were not married so you didn't. But I agree with you in real terms there is no big deal putting your name on the birth certificate. It's done all the time in Thailand as you quite correctly stated.

Edited July 5, 2007 by mpdkorat

[MrSquigle]

Did not see this....but was she pregnant before or after she became your gf ?

What nationality is the father ? Will you pass as the father of a little dark skin kid that looks like a tuktuk driver ?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Did you say she is a little naive?

Thhere's a lot of that about it seems.