Replies to '12/25 Parent Trap'

I do not buy the parent trap issue.  I just caught the last 15 minutes or so of your show today.  I am curious if your guest were under court  orders.  I work in the family court through the clerk's office here in South Carolina. Our Judges ask all defendants if they want to admit to paternity or if they would like a genetic test.  Whether or not it is a private action for child support or through Department of Social Services, if they admit to paternity they are informed that they may never come back to court and ask for termination of their court order because the mother lied at the time the order was issued, someone else told them they were not the father or how ever they want to deny paternity.  They are given this first chance if they respond to their notice of the hearing.  If they choose not to repsond to the hearing, then when they are ruled in to court for not paying their child support they are ask at that time if they would like a genetic test.  

Most of the cases I refer to are through Child Support Enforcement through the Department of Social Services.  Mothers file for child support, notices are sent for service by the sheriff's department to the only address provided, usually a family member of the defendant.  It is then the accepting partie's repsonsibility to inform the defendant of their hearing.  Here they figure if they don't repsond they are not responsible.  When they finally get into court,  they are then given the option for the genetic test.  As for private cases where payments are made directly to the parent, the parent is ask the same question as to admitting paternity or taking the test. 

As to the relationship with the child whether or not they are the parent, it should not matter.  Here it is sad to say the parent would rather give up their rights than have to pay their child support.  Jobs are not easy to find in our area which really makes it hard for every one envolved, especially the children.  They are the ones who really suffer.