Joint Interim Committee on Family Law
October 14, 1997
Senator Harold Caskey and Representative Pat Dougherty presiding
Witness:  Mr. Chris Golden, Father, Kansas City, Missouri
 
     MR. CHRIS GOLDEN: My name is Chris Golden. I'm from Kansas City, Missouri. My case took place in Springfield, in Greene County. While attending Southwest Missouri State, I had a son that was born out of wedlock, and approximately eight months after his being born, the mother took off to Philadelphia, and I just wanted to ask why was the birth certificate I signed good enough for Social Services to come collect more child support, but was not viewed by the court to be a document to prove that I'm a father? Do you know why that's written that way?

     DOUGHERTY: Excuse me, the prosecutor from the office of Greene County, yes, go ahead.

     (Speaking from audience. Cannot be picked up on recorder)

     GOLDEN: Well, they have to file a paternity action to prove that I'm the father with the courts, but all she had to do was hand over the birth certificate or give a copy to Social Services to have action taken to guarantee the child support. So, why does it work opposite directions? It's like a two-bladed sword.

     DOUGHERTY: This is the director of Child Support.

     (Speaking from audience, cannot be heard)

     DOUGHERTY: But the law has changed. It's effective this July?

     (Speaking from audience, cannot be heard)

     DOUGHERTY: So, the establishment of paternity and the situation such as his before July of this year........

     (Speaking from audience, cannot be heard)

     GOLDEN: The new rule says that I am the father then, but does not effect custody, right?

     (Speaking from audience, cannot be heard)

     DOUGHERTY: So, the scenario that you mentioned in particular has changed since July, this year, for anything that happens after.

     GOLDEN: So, anything that happens after that, it's considered both ways?

     DOUGHERTY: Right.

     GOLDEN: And, also, I had another. When I was concerned with her leaving the state, I was told there was nothing I could do to keep my son here for even why we went through the custody proceedings. I want to know why, isn't there something that can be done to keep them from taking the children out of the state until a court order is handed down?

     DOUGHERTY: You're suggesting we look into that?

     GOLDEN: Yes. And, that's the two points I wanted to bring up.

     DOUGHERTY: Other questions from the committee? Senator McKenna?

     MCKENNA: You're not mad that you're paying child support. You've upset that you want to see your child?

     GOLDEN: Right, and I'm not allowed to at this point. I'm happy to pay child support. I paid her more before the ruling came out. They gave me less of an amount. So, of course, I pay lesser.

     MCKENNA: Okay.

     DOUGHERTY: Okay, I appreciate that. Thank you, very much.
 Mike Sly. As Mike is coming up, I would ask that the director, if you could bring us up to date at some point and time on your efforts that you just described in regards to nonmarried and visitation, etc., at some, in the future, if you would, please. Thank you. Mr. Sly, welcome, and use the microphone, please, and fill out a form.


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