Signs of a Deadbeat Dad

The term "deadbeat dad" is normally used to describe a father who doesn't take care of his child or children. This father may be divorced from the mother or have had a baby out of wedlock. It is important to remember that deadbeat moms exist too, but deadbeat dad remains the label more commonly applied. If the father of your child is not stepping up and accepting his responsibilities, you may have a deadbeat dad on your hands.

  1. Child Support

    • One of the most common behaviors that label someone a deadbeat dad is not paying child support on time or in full. The father of your child needs to contribute toward your child's upbringing, whether he is in a romantic relationship with you or not. If a man doesn't wish to pay or feels he doesn't have the means to pay child support, he may go on the run, so to speak, to avoid making payments. This is more likely if you have yet to go to court to establish a child-support payment amount. If a judge has already ruled on the amount of child support your child's father must pay and he is not paying it, your child's father is committing a crime.

    Time with the Child

    • Even if your child's father is contributing financially, you may still feel he's a deadbeat dad if he never spends time with your child. It is important for young children to have a male influence in their lives. Even if it is only one day a week, your child's father needs to make time in his schedule to visit with his child. If you and the child's father do not get along, your child can spend time at the father's home or at a public venue, as long as your ex is responsible in tending your child.

    That's Not My Kid

    • One of the most frustrating types of deadbeat dads is the man who denies being the father of your baby. This is more common when the child is conceived outside of marriage. Your child deserves the financial and emotional support of your ex-boyfriend if you are sure he is the father. See if your ex will agree to a DNA test to prove that he is or is not the father. If your ex does not cooperate, but his parents believe you, they can contribute their DNA to see whether they are the child's grandparents.

    Take Action

    • If you are struggling to buy basics for your child, don't suffer in silence. Get a lawyer and know your rights. While every state allows wage garnishment to collect child support if there is a court order, in some states there are other punishments. For example, in Georgia a person's license may be suspended if he is two months or more behind on making child support payments. In New Jersey, child support payment laws are extremely strict. Deadbeat New Jersey dads can be sent to jail if they are found guilty of not contributing money toward their children. This remains a controversial tactic, however, since a jailed man cannot earn money to pay child support.

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