Can't Anyone Help Us?
by Amy Smith
(Fort Worth, Texas, USA)
Six years ago, before we met, my husband dated this woman. He had a wonderful job, making a great salary. However, he was desperate. In two months time she found herself pregnant, trapping him. He thought it was odd that she was pregnant because not one of the two occasions went un-protected. He trusted her though, went along with everything. She attempted several times to self-abort the pregnancy but unwisely he stopped her. The kid was born (Hispanic) and to his surprise (ha ha) didn't look anything like him (Caucasian) or the mother (Caucasian). In his big heart he couldn't just deny the child so he made the biggest mistake ever, he signed the birth certificate. By that time they'd been split up for months, and few weeks later she married this guy who makes around $275,000(the child's actual father). So, her "attorney" drew up papers and my husband signed away what little rights he had, (after that he couldn't request a dna test). She never took it to court, or had it signed (of course). Now we have one year old triplets, and my six year old from a previous marriage. He was injured at work last year, and now he can't work. We have no money after the $1250 in child support. Yes, she takes what little I make working at Wal-mart, and Dillard's too. We are trapped. She didn't want the kid until it made her money. We've lost our income tax refund two years in a row and don't have the money to put gas in the car to get to work. This month we are to be evicted from our apartment. All while she drives a BMW, lives in a $300,000 home, and takes European trips twice a year. I can't sleep at night, my husband tried to commit suicide, and we can't feed our kids without help from my parents. She is only doing this for the love of seeing us suffer. To her it is a game. Why is there not a pro-choice option for men? If a woman has the right to terminate the pregnancy or put a child up for adoption, I think the man should have the same get out of jail free card. I have looked high and low for help. Everyone says that because he signed the cert. and then the relinquishment he is stuck until she has a judge signs it, or support is terminated when the kid is 18. Even legal aid turned us away when they found out it is her father who is the attorney representing her.
And for those out there who just think we are greedy or that my husband and I don't care... I let my daughter's biological father sign away his rights in order for my husband to adopt. I was getting $500 a month for her support and we believed a two parent household was an all around better life for her. My frustration is when the person receiving the support in no way needs or is even entitled to it, and the laws still allow it.
I'm writing on behalf of my husband and myself.
I'm truly sorry if I've made anyone upset or stepped on any toes. If you do have any advice please let us know.