Did she name him as the father on the birth certificate? or did she fill in unknown? If he never wanted anything to do with the baby why would it change now? I really don't think he will do much about it...he hasn't shown any interest thus far...but I would seek some legal advice....considering you have the child...a family court judge will not often take a child from a stable home and place them with a stranger...even though he is the father he is still a stranger...have to remember the family court judges do what's best for the child...not anyone else....also keep in mind you have given your grand daughter all the care...she has bonded with you...that is very important...and that's what the judge will not take away from the child and put her with a stranger....I highly doubt5 the father has much of a leg to stand on either....I wish you the best...keep me posted and God Bless You!

WOW! that sounds like the mom did that just to make it hard for you... how mean...God luck and God Bless...

I have never dealt with this and I hope I never have to do. I am pretty sure the courts wont take a child out of a stable and loving home to place her with strangers.
I hope they find the 'father' quickly and it is all over for you and your GD as early as possible.

If the father does anything, the judge could give supervised visits. BUT I doubt the fahter will, he will probably sign over his rights. After all the judge could set up visits but more then likely he would set up child support to.
If he does give you any problems let him know you won't think twice of going after child support.

You may very well have a big problem on your hands. If the biological father knew nothing about the child he has every right to his child. The good thing for you is that the child has lived with you all along. I do know someone this happen to and the father did end up getting custody. Since the father knew nothing about the child the judge started out with visitation through CPS. Then, he got the child unsupervised every 2 weeks. Then after 6 months he was granted custody. So yes, he can come in to the picture and take her eventually if he can prove he is a good father. Good luck with all of this.

Tessa gave the same information that I was going to give..... gmta? Read the post in the guardianship/custody group here titles.........Do I have any rights.... this information might help you.

My daughter did not put the father of her daughter on the birth certificate. When I filed guardianship he wrote an affadavit that he was the father. He did not want me to have her. My dauther's attorney filed this I guess and his name was put on the birth certificate. My gd was 2 years old at the time. My attorney did advise me that he could try to take her. He would have to provide a home for her, have a steady job and daycare and or school available for her. He just got out of prison and was "starting" a new life. Didn't matter there was a chance. He had a very good job and a place of his own. But, he went back to drugs soon after his release. My worry is over for now.

you said above that he never has seen her and didn't want anything to do with her, so he does know about her all a long? This will go against him, and they may very well order back child support if that is the case along with support. In most states you do not have to be on the birth cert., to pay child support.
But always be prepared, and know what you want if the judge was to ever hand your grnad child to him or the mom, always protect yourself.

His name isn't on her birth certificate, and yes he has known about her all along. I understand he is now married with children, so maybe he won't want to disrupt his happy home.

I think if the father decided to show up in the picture & he's someone you know is not going to be good for your granddaughter, I'd put the bug in his ear that I would be filing for SEVEN YEARS of back child support if he chooses to stir up trouble. I have a feeling he wouldn't want any part of that. I doubt he'll even be an issue. Hopefully, if he's found, you can get him to sign over his rights. If he knows that will get him off the hook financially, he'll probably do it.

Oh, if he knew about her and didn't do anything for 7 years then he'll have the problem not you. However; if he can prove to be a fit parent he still has a chance in court. He could always tell the judge that he didn't know he was the father since he never signed the birth certificate. As far as back support goes he probably would not have to pay. If your daughter never pursued child support then he is safe. The laws differ state to state. In Maryland, you can not get back child support unless a child support order was in effect. I hope the judge keeps your grandaughter with you because it's the only home she knows.