Please help Reginald Finley get reunited with his son Donovan.
A Georgia man has been without his son for 12 years because of loop-holes in Georgia's legitimation process.
UPDATE: 2016
It's with a heavy heart that, even after winning in court, she' still won. She has successfully alienated my son against me, his siblings, and his other family. He visited once and seemed ordered to not eat any food we prepared. He brought his own food with him. Who knows what ridiculousness she told him. He sent me an email, at least, I think it was him, in which he stated he wants nothing to do with my side of the family. He was then 14 years old. Nothing I could do. Sadly, his grandmother has died. He never got to know her. He's granddad may not ever meet him. I still love him and think of him daily. I just hope that one day, he breaks free and can get a chance to really get to know his dad.
Thanks for all those that helped. I did get in contact with a number of state representatives who provided me some solid advice. Since then, a number of laws have changed to spare father's in Georgia from going through the Hell that I have gone through.
Good luck Donovan in love, life, college, and with football. I am still here for you. You know where to find me. Whenever you are ready.
UPDATE!: 2009
Thanks for all of your help! We are now battling in court. You can read the results of the bench trial here: http://www.weloveyoudonovan.com/?p=523
------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Petition:
A number of fathers in America shirk their responsibility and want nothing to do with their children. The system is set up to go after dead beat fathers and get the financial support these children need. But what about the mothers that purposefully keep their children away from the fathers? Do fathers have rights? Usually yes, but not in this case.
Reginald Finley Sr is the loving father of Donovan. Donnie's mother has successfully managed to keep Reginald out of Donovan's life due to a loop-hole in the legitimation process in Georgia. He currently pays child support to the state, but is not recognized by the state as Donovan's legal father.
In 1996, Donovan's mother, was separated and divorcing her husband. She and Reginald began a relationship out of which Donovan was conceived. The mother unfortunately, did not know who the father was and so therefore did not place Reginald on the Birth Certificate. As the mother was still legally married, Donovan became the legitimate child of that marriage.
After the blood results positively identified Reginald as the father, he petitioned to the mother to have legitimation established. The mother refused any assistance in the matter and moved away taking his son out of the city and subsequently, out of state. Since Reginald received no assistance from the mother and husband, to recognize Reginald as the legitimate father, he was advised there was not much to be done.
It has been 12 years of frustration as Reginald has tracked them down time and time again to establish legitimation and visitation, but his cries for help have landed upon deaf ears.
The mother has since remarried and is believed to be back in Georgia. Reginald is the father of Donovan. The mother is taking advantage of a loop-hole in the system by not letting her child's biological father see his son. Donovan is also being stripped of relationships with his siblings, uncles, cousins and grand parents. His grandmother is not doing well and may not last the next few years.
We beg of the state and friends of the state to please help Reginald Finley Sr establish legitimation and to finally have Donovan in his life and Reginald in his. Even more so, we hope that the state recognizes that this law must change. Legitimation and visitation should immediately be recognized regardless of the marital status of the mother.
A complete log of Reginald's plight can be read at: http://www.weloveyoudonovan.com
You can also contact Reginald at: reggiefinleysr@yahoo.com
Thank you,
It's with a heavy heart that, even after winning in court, she' still won. She has successfully alienated my son against me, his siblings, and his other family. He visited once and seemed ordered to not eat any food we prepared. He brought his own food with him. Who knows what ridiculousness she told him. He sent me an email, at least, I think it was him, in which he stated he wants nothing to do with my side of the family. He was then 14 years old. Nothing I could do. Sadly, his grandmother has died. He never got to know her. He's granddad may not ever meet him. I still love him and think of him daily. I just hope that one day, he breaks free and can get a chance to really get to know his dad.
Thanks for all those that helped. I did get in contact with a number of state representatives who provided me some solid advice. Since then, a number of laws have changed to spare father's in Georgia from going through the Hell that I have gone through.
Good luck Donovan in love, life, college, and with football. I am still here for you. You know where to find me. Whenever you are ready.
UPDATE!: 2009
Thanks for all of your help! We are now battling in court. You can read the results of the bench trial here: http://www.weloveyoudonovan.com/?p=523
------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Petition:
A number of fathers in America shirk their responsibility and want nothing to do with their children. The system is set up to go after dead beat fathers and get the financial support these children need. But what about the mothers that purposefully keep their children away from the fathers? Do fathers have rights? Usually yes, but not in this case.
Reginald Finley Sr is the loving father of Donovan. Donnie's mother has successfully managed to keep Reginald out of Donovan's life due to a loop-hole in the legitimation process in Georgia. He currently pays child support to the state, but is not recognized by the state as Donovan's legal father.
In 1996, Donovan's mother, was separated and divorcing her husband. She and Reginald began a relationship out of which Donovan was conceived. The mother unfortunately, did not know who the father was and so therefore did not place Reginald on the Birth Certificate. As the mother was still legally married, Donovan became the legitimate child of that marriage.
After the blood results positively identified Reginald as the father, he petitioned to the mother to have legitimation established. The mother refused any assistance in the matter and moved away taking his son out of the city and subsequently, out of state. Since Reginald received no assistance from the mother and husband, to recognize Reginald as the legitimate father, he was advised there was not much to be done.
It has been 12 years of frustration as Reginald has tracked them down time and time again to establish legitimation and visitation, but his cries for help have landed upon deaf ears.
The mother has since remarried and is believed to be back in Georgia. Reginald is the father of Donovan. The mother is taking advantage of a loop-hole in the system by not letting her child's biological father see his son. Donovan is also being stripped of relationships with his siblings, uncles, cousins and grand parents. His grandmother is not doing well and may not last the next few years.
We beg of the state and friends of the state to please help Reginald Finley Sr establish legitimation and to finally have Donovan in his life and Reginald in his. Even more so, we hope that the state recognizes that this law must change. Legitimation and visitation should immediately be recognized regardless of the marital status of the mother.
A complete log of Reginald's plight can be read at: http://www.weloveyoudonovan.com
You can also contact Reginald at: reggiefinleysr@yahoo.com
Thank you,
View Comments