My Child's Father in Ireland--Rights?

Hi,

My child's father is a citizen of Ireland. He has never met his son in person, though we do keep in touch and he has sent voluntary child support sporadically. He is not on my son's U.S. birth certificate, though I did name him as father. I have sole custody, and my brother that lives with us, is helping to raise him just as if he were his own.

My question is, in event of my death, what rights might his biological father have, if any? What precautions could I take to ensure my son would remain with my brother as guardian, instead of the father he's never met possibly taking him away from home, country and family? I do not think that he would do this against my wishes, but I want to make sure I do everthing I possibly can to minimize the trauma to my son if something unexpected happens to me before he is an adult. Can I legally name my brother as guardian in my will, even if he had a surviving biological father?

Thanks

Loving Mamma in TX

[missingmyhubby]

Originally Posted by Unregistered Hi, My child's father is a citizen of Ireland. He has never met his son in person, though we do keep in touch and he has sent voluntary child support sporadically. He is not on my son's U.S. birth certificate, though I did name him as father. I have sole custody, and my brother that lives with us, is helping to raise him just as if he were his own. My question is, in event of my death, what rights might his biological father have, if any? What precautions could I take to ensure my son would remain with my brother as guardian, instead of the father he's never met possibly taking him away from home, country and family? I do not think that he would do this against my wishes, but I want to make sure I do everthing I possibly can to minimize the trauma to my son if something unexpected happens to me before he is an adult. Can I legally name my brother as guardian in my will, even if he had a surviving biological father? Thanks Loving Mamma in TX

you can make your preferences known, but if dad establishes paternity, he can get custody of the child, his rights are greater then your brothers.

Thank you for your quick response!