Paternity rights in Indiana?

Question

I'm 16, and the father's 19. We both live in Indiana. We're not dating. We were friends.

He's trying to talk me into an abortion (which he did offer to pay for) though I'm not having one. He said that if I kept it, he'd want to see it sometimes and he'd help me with expenses. He did say though that he doesn't want this baby to be "ours", but he wants it to be "mine". He's not planning on telling his parents about this either. He says he'll probably tell them that I'm his friend and he wants to help me, but not that he's the father.

What are his paternity rights? Could I legally keep him away from the baby? Under what circumstances could I keep him away? If he does pay some expenses, does that mean he's entitled to see it? Or since he doesn't want it to be "our" baby, does that mean I can keep him away?

Just pretty much, what are his paternity rights? Could you show me a link to a site saying this? (if available)

Thanks

Answer 1

I don't know about Indiana, but here in OK if they are paying they have a right to see the child\children. As they should. I think he is looking for an easy escape though by not telling his parents, he should own up to what he has done, as you have to. That me just me though. I commend you for not aborting the child and I also commend him for taking the responsibility for at least taking on the child support, which he would have to do anyway if his name is on that birth certificate (this is Oklahoma law mind you, I don't know about Indiana law). You can probably find out all of the information that you are looking for by typing the exact same thing that you just typed in your topic line in Google or Yahoo search. That would probably be the best place to search for your answers as I am sure that you will get all sorts of different answers here. Good luck

Answer 2

Its quite simple really. He is the childs father. The court would rule that you have to give him visitation. That is if he goes to court to get the rights established.

You should ask for child support.

You should tell his parents the child is their son's baby.

You should expect him to want more than he says he wants.

If he goes to court and proves the child is his -- you will have no choice but to "share" the child with him.