Utah Father’s Rights Must Act Fast

Utah Fathers may need to act fast to preserve their rights to parent their child. Although registering with the Utah Putative Father’s Registry before the birth of their child or within 15 days of the birth of their child will entitled them to notice of an adoption, it does not necessarily preserve their right to stop their child from being adopted, and their parental rights from being terminated.  Recent Utah Supreme Court decisions have promoted father’s rights and affirmed the rights of birth fathers to stop the adoption of their children.  The conclusion that can be drawn from these decisions is that the best way to stop your child from being adopted, and your parental rights from being terminated, is to file an action in Juvenile court to establish paternity and/ or parental rights.  An action to establish paternity can be filed even before the child is born.

In re Adoption of G.V. and In re Adoption of P.A.C. both held that the probate court may not proceed with an adoption while there is an issue pending in juvenile court concerning the parenting of the child.  The Court applied their 2006 decision In re Adoption of Pushcar to these cases, holding that the issue in juvenile court must be finalized before the adoption may proceed.

In Pushcar, the child’s biological parents were not married.  The husband of the child’s mother filed to adopt the child, and the biological father opposed the adoption.  The biological father’s paternity action had not yet been finalized, and at issue was whether it was necessary for the biological father to consent to the adoption.  The Court held that his consent to the adoption was necessary, even if paternity had not yet been formally established.

Behind this decision is the policy concern that, “the right of a natural parent to the care and custody of his children is one of the most precious and fundamental in law.”  In re Adoption of Masa.  Utah recognizes the interest parents have in raising their children as fundamental, and “the state’s interest in finding the best home for the child does not arise until the parent has been found unfit.” Cruzan v. Director.

The Supreme Court applied this principle in the 2010 decision In re Adoption of P.A.C.  In this case, the child’s biological father, Gary Otten, was not married to the child’s mother and was not listed on the birth certificate.  Otten opposed the child’s adoption. Applying Pushcar, the Supreme Court affirmed that his consent to the adoption was necessary, even though he had not registered with the Putative Father Registry.  Pushcar was applied in another recent decision as well.  In In re Adoption of G.V. the biological father had registered with the Putative Father Registry before the adoption petition was filed.  The Supreme Court again held that Pushcar applied to this case, making his consent to the adoption necessary.

A putative father is an individual who may be a child’s father, but was not married to the child’s mother on or before the child was born, has not established paternity of the child, or has not been determined to be the father of the child by a court proceeding or an administrative agency.  In the event that an adoption petition is filed for a child, the Putative Father Registry operates as a system to identify an undisclosed putative father and provide him with notice of the adoption petition.  The Department of Family Services suggests that anyone who thinks someone may be pregnant and that he may be the father should register with the Putative Father Registry no later than 15 days after the child’s birth.  Registration is free, and adults or minors may register.

The Utah Putative Father Registry is important. You should consider going down to the Putative Father Registry office in person.  There is a toll free number on the form that you can call, and if you explain your circumstances they should give you their office address.   Remember, it is up to you to make sure you have their current address, so pick up the phone and call them, don’t rely on this website to make sure you have the current address.

Free Consultation with Father’s Rights Lawyer

When you need to protect your child custody and exercise your father’s rights, call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael Anderson

People who want a lot of Bull go to a Butcher. People who want results navigating a complex legal field go to a Lawyer that they can trust. That’s where I come in. I am Michael Anderson, an Attorney in the Salt Lake area focusing on the needs of the Average Joe wanting a better life for him and his family. I’m the Lawyer you can trust. I grew up in Utah and love it here. I am a Father to three, a Husband to one, and an Entrepreneur. I understand the feelings of joy each of those roles bring, and I understand the feeling of disappointment, fear, and regret when things go wrong. I attended the University of Utah where I received a B.A. degree in 2010 and a J.D. in 2014. I have focused my practice in Wills, Trusts, Real Estate, and Business Law. I love the thrill of helping clients secure their future, leaving a real legacy to their children. Unfortunately when problems arise with families. I also practice Family Law, with a focus on keeping relationships between the soon to be Ex’s civil for the benefit of their children and allowing both to walk away quickly with their heads held high. Before you worry too much about losing everything that you have worked for, before you permit yourself to be bullied by your soon to be ex, before you shed one more tear in silence, call me. I’m the Lawyer you can trust.

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