What Are A Father’s Rights To Prevent An Abortion?
The case of a New Mexico man who paid for a billboard ad to protest his ex-girlfriend’s decision to have an abortion against his wishes has once again brought up the father’s rights and paternity rights issue of whether a man should have the right to stop a woman from aborting their child.
According to the Associated Press, a billboard in New Mexico shows 35-year-old Greg Fultz holding the outline of an infant. The text reads, “This Would Have Been A Picture Of My 2-Month Old Baby If The Mother Had Decided To Not KILL Our Child!”
U.S. Supreme Court rulings prove that fathers have no legal rights when it comes to abortion (Planned Parenthood v. Danforth and Planned Parenthood v. Casey).
Courts have consistently decided that a woman’s right to an abortion can’t be vetoed by a husband, partner or ex-boyfriend, and also that a woman doesn’t have to notify the father that she intends to have an abortion, according to a BBC article.
Women are required to get education before an abortion in at least 17 states, according to Cordell & Cordell divorce lawyer Jill Duffy. In order for the abortion to be performed in some of those states, the woman must give written, informed consent at least 24 hours beforehand. However, that waiting period doesn’t require informing the possible father.
“A woman can legally deprive a man of his right to become a parent or force him to become one against his will,” according to “Mr. Dad” Armin Brott, who is an author, speaker and fathers rights advocate.
While there may not be a legal defense, your best defense to prevent your partner from having an abortion is to educate her about the consequences of abortion, Duffy said.
Abortion is a serious matter that one should make only after becoming fully informed of all of the options and effects.
Duffy said you could try convincing her to continue with her pregnancy through birth and then have her voluntarily terminate her parental rights and giving all rights to the child’s father, which can be legally done in most states.
If she rules against abortion and decides to give birth to the child, you must establish your paternity as soon as possible.
According to the article “How To Establish Paternity” on DadsDivorce.com, you can establish paternity by:
1. Getting on the birth certificate. Once your child is born, the easiest way to establish paternity is by getting your name on the birth certificate.
Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) forms are also available for fathers to sign at the hospital at the time of the child’s birth.
2. Getting an order through an administrative agency. Administrative agencies (such as Child Support Enforcement) can be helpful during the initial stages of your paternity action by assisting you with filling out forms and helping you obtain a DNA test to establish that you are the father of the child.
3. Getting a court order. You must file a Petition for Paternity and Child Custody with your local Circuit Court or Family Court. The court will then order a paternity test or look to see if the father is listed on the birth certificate to determine whether paternity has been established.
You should consult with an attorney who is licensed in your state to discuss your state’s paternity laws. Cordell & Cordell Law Firm has divorce lawyers for men located nationwide who are experienced in handling paternity cases.
Wow. It makes me so sad that this article even exists. :/ Fathers shouldn’t have to work this hard to convince a woman to let them keep their child.
I’m currently working on a petition to make paternal consent a requirement for legal abortion. I hope and pray that the law changes in this area, because this is just ridiculous injustice.
No it is not. It is a woman’s body not the man. She had to carry that baby for 9 months. I have two children. Although it is sad to abort a child. That’s life. The doer will have to answer to a higher power. Not you! I’m sick of people thinking they could be god. So what if the woman is raped???? And the father wants the child. What about of a man is married and has an affair? It’s a woman’s choice not yours!
What about a father who wants his child and his wife is not in a state of mind and decides to abort a 4 1/2 month old baby? What happened to the “we” are pregnant? Especially if the father says he will take full responsibility of the baby. Archaic law!
You are absolutely right I wish there were more people like you in this world I am going to the exact same situation right now I believe my woman is 3 months pregnant she threatened to kill my baby by drinking a half gallon of vodka she said that in front of her two children they are six years old and 2 years old I believe this will affect them for the rest of their life she has no idea what she’s doing to them or herself or her potential baby she is too out of it on drugs
A baby can not legally be aborted at that point in time. The father cannot “take full responsibility” when the child is inside it’s mothers body.
Question, if it’s the womans choice to become a mother, the father has no say so. Then should she have a say on whether the father chooses to give her child support.
You should answer to a higher power when your gone! There are good father’s and evil women too! Your obviously only thinking on one side of things and mostly negative. There are good men out there, who are better than what your picturing. If you are married and both choose to take the responsibility of creating life. Then it should be up to the father too. I hope your can see both sides of things someday. Not saying that I don’t understand what you have purposed. Your point of view is understandable, but look future than that please.
It should be a mans choice to we gotta deal with 9 months of BS and then drop 300 thousand dollars for the next 18 years if we made it together desicions are made together
It is doubtful any change to equality for Men or the Children will come through the courts. It must come from new legislation in those states allowing citizens to place such articles up for the vote. By this method the ‘paid for’ legislators cannot touch it before it is placed on the ballot box. CW, KC.Mo.
Abortion is killing period!!! If it’s OK for a woman to have an abortion and it’s her choice why is the father forced to pay for that child? I understand pregnancy is difficult and hard on a women’s body but there are options for giving the child up.
I’m currently a father to a wonderful 4 month old baby boy. My girlfriend and I got pregnant a month ago. She decided to about our unborn child. I’m actually sitting outside the abortion clinic writing this reply. I’m sick to my stomach. It’s such a shame that the fathers have no rights when it comes to abortion. I really think something needs to be done about this. I have a bitter heart towards her at this point, she is asking me to be more supportive about it. How can I when u are about to murder my child?I really think this will hurt our relationship. I have no intentions of staying with her. But we have a child together and would only be with her because of our 4 month old . The system sucks! Can someone please do something about this?