2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 42. Adoption › Chapter 2. Adoption of Child › Part 6. Petition to Terminate Parental Rights › 42-2-610. Putative father -- termination based upon failure to establish substantial relationship

42-2-610. Putative father -- termination based upon failure to establish substantial relationship.
(1) The parental rights of a putative father may be terminated by the court if the putative father has failed to timely establish and maintain a substantial relationship with the child.
(2) A putative father who is not married to the child's mother but who has openly lived with the child since the child's birth or for a period of 6 months immediately preceding placement of the child with adoptive parents and has openly claimed to be the father of the child during that period is considered to have developed a substantial relationship with the child and to have otherwise met the requirements of this section.
(3) In order to meet the minimal showing of having established a substantial relationship with regard to a child who is the subject of an adoption proceeding, a putative father has the burden of showing that the putative father has:
(a) demonstrated a full commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood by providing financial support for the child in a fair and reasonable sum and in accordance with the putative father's ability and by either:
(i) visiting the child at least monthly when physically and financially able to do so; or
(ii) having regular contact with the child or with the person or agency having the care and custody of the child when physically and financially able to do so; and
(b) manifested an ability and willingness to assume legal and physical custody of the child if the child was not in the physical custody of the other parent.
(4) In order to meet the minimal showing of having established a substantial relationship with regard to a child who is the subject of an adoption proceeding involving a child who is under 6 months of age at the time that the child becomes the subject of adoption proceedings, a putative father has the burden to show that the putative father has manifested a full commitment to parental responsibilities by:
(a) performing all of the acts described in this subsection (4) prior to the time that the mother executed a relinquishment and consent to adopt;
(b) if the putative father had actual knowledge of the pregnancy, paying a fair and reasonable amount of the expenses incurred in connection with the pregnancy and the child's birth in accordance with the putative father's means when not prevented from doing so by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the child;
(c) making reasonable and consistent payments, in accordance with the putative father's means, for the support of the child since birth;
(d) visiting regularly with the child; and
(e) manifesting an ability and willingness to assume legal and physical custody of the child if, during this time, the child was not in the physical custody of the mother.
(5) The subjective intent of a putative father, whether expressed or otherwise, unsupported by evidence of acts specified in this section does not preclude a determination that the father failed to meet the requirements of this section.
History: En. Sec. 73, Ch. 480, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 257, L. 1999.