Hello! Ok, I'll try to make this as brief as possible. After 9 years I finally decided to file for child support for my son. His father has hardly helped me financially. He would always have an excuse as to why he couldn't help. And I always tried being understanding because he has a total of 5 kids with 4 different mothers and none of them live with him. He would always promise that as soon as his finances got better he would begin to help out regularly. Well that day came and went and nothing changed. So back in 2013 I first filed for child support and when he got served he again made promises to help out. So I felt sorry for him and I ended up closing the case. He helped out for 3 months straight and that's when the excuses started up again. I spoke to him and told him that if he didn't continue to keep with his responsibilities I would reopen the case and not close it. I waited a few months to see if things would change but they didn't. So fast forward to January 2015 I reopened the child support case and as soon as he received notice of the case being reopened he started threatening me that he would take custody of my son if I didn't close it. I haven't closed it. It has been 5 months and he hasn't been able to get served the child support papers because whenever they go to his house he won't open the door or tells his mother to say he doesn't live there. So now I guess the pressure is getting to him because I am not budging in closing the case he is trying to put my son against me and brainwash him. He has called Child Services on me saying I am abusive to my son and that I leave him home alone. He is doing this as a way to retaliate.He is using a domestic incident against me that occurred about a year ago between my husband and I. Child Services were called to investigate which I was told was routine when there are children. The social worker found no evidence of abuse or neglect and closed the case. Now this time that he called, a different social worker found no evidence of abuse or neglect and is closing the case with the recommendation of me seeking legal custody. Now my question is since him and I were never married I was under the assumption that I automatically have legal custody of my son. Is this not true? The father is on the birth certificate. I have not ever prevented him from spending time with our son. I have always allowed him visitation. So if I would have to seek legal custody I wouldn't want to share custody just allow visitations just like it has been since day one. What are the chances of the judge granting my requests? Thanks so much in advance I greatly appreciate it.