(France) Lesbian parents forced to accept rights of father

[The Straight Story]

A lesbian couple in the western city of Nantes were angered this week after a French court made a controversial decision to recognise the parental rights of their child's biological father, who when he donated his sperm had promised to waive all rights to the child.

Just as the dust was settling in France after the row over the legalisation of gay marriage and adoption, a French court made a decision this week that will once again shake up the debate around same-sex parenthood.

On Monday a judge granted a biological father, parental rights to his child, after he had initially promised to the mother, his "best friend", that he would donate his sperm and waive all his rights as a dad.

Until this week, the two-year-old had been exclusively entrusted to the care of its mother and her lesbian partner.

Speaking after the ruling, Anne Bouillon, the lawyer for the biological mother told TF1 television that her client and her partner were upset by the judge's decision.

http://www.thelocal.fr/20130731/french-sperm-donor-father-granted-parental-rights

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. "I promise to waive all paternity rights" is apparently as legally binding as "I'm on the pill". n/t

[LittleBlue]

2. Was that promise in writing?

Because if it wasn't, it's damn near impossible to prove.

You have to get that stuff in writing, signed and witnessed.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. yes. put it in writing

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. wonder if he has to pay child suppprt

[madville]

5. It's a two way street

We have all seen stories where a sperm donor ends up having to pay child support even if there was an agreement in writing.

I wonder if he will now have to pay child support since he was awarded parental rights?

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. He should be either custodial, shared or noncustodial parent.

If the latter, then yes, I assume that under french law he would pay child support.