Man argues against paying support for unwanted child
Man unlikely to get father of the year
A Michigan father (using that term loosely) failed in his attempt to get out of paying child support given he did not want the child. He argued that his girlfriend said she was infertile and was also taking birth control as extra protection. After the relationship soured, she informed him she was pregnant. He argued that the mother had the right to chose an abortion (in his words, a choice to disclaim parenthood), so he should have the equal right to disclaim parenthood by not paying child support.
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals didn't buy his argument and agreed with the lower court which dismissed his claim as meritless. Essentially, Michigan's paternity laws, similar to other states, are gender neutral, placing the obligation of support on both parents. Given it is a gender neutral law, it does not violate the Equal Protection Clause.
For a copy of the decision, click here.
