Okay maybe I don't need an expert. But I have a friend I met on another board. She didn't get any help there....just bashed. So I am trying to help. Her live-in boyfriend had a child out of wed lock. They started going through the court system in their state to get DNA done but the mother fled the state with her daughter and new boyfriend. So now this child is about 6 years old and the state of California is coming after him because this mother has been getting state aid. So the state of CA wants him to take a DNA test. He is about to have his 2nd child and he can't afford to go out to CA. Does anyone here know how the state of CA works? Any good advice on what steps they should take? Thanks I know this is kind of off the topic for this board but you try to find advice and knowledge where you can!

Geography is not a deterrent. If he cannot go to CA for the testing, he could make arrangements to have his DNA sample taken at a nearby lab. He needs to call the DA’s office and explain the circumstances. The lab they use for running the test should have other collection sites that they contract with, for just this type of situation. As long as the chain of custody is followed, it should an acceptable solution. Unfortunately, because the state is involved, the bio-dad will not get much of a break. The mother’s actions will not have much bearing on their intent to recoup their monies.

As for her fleeing the state….if they had already initiated court proceedings, then there should have been a temporary restraining order attached. It would have applied to both parents and should have wording that stated neither parent could remove the child from the county of jurisdiction. When one parent flees under such circumstances, custody can easily be given to the other parent. The court’s interest is in giving custody to the parent who will most encourage and/or preserve the other parent’s relationship with the child(ren). By fleeing, the mom proved she was not THAT parent. Not a wise move. Encourage your friend to go to the courthouse and see if they have a family law facilitator. They can give him some idea of how things happen in that particular county and can also assist him with completing paperwork. Another idea would be getting direction/assistance from father’s rights groups. They usually have legal assistance for dad’s in these types of situations. He can get the info online.

OB1

Thank you very much, I forwarded the info and she found that information very helpful.