What are my rights?

[lilmama87]

Im about to go to court with my childs father who wasnt there thru pregnancy, birth or hardly now for our daughter. He wants joint custody but not to pay child support. His names not on the birth certificate and when he's around our daughter she pulls away from him, cries or screams. She's still a baby (6 1/2 months) and she doesnt know him. He says I keep her from him but he's wanting me to bring her to him and when he asks its like 8 pm. From what I understand he has no rights since 1. his name is not on the bc and 2. he doesnt pay child support. Im worried about when we got to court he will try to get custody. What can/could happen?

 

[Duranie]

His chances of custody are nil but he does have a right to be involved. You should file for child support and then he can go to court and ask for visitation. Yuo can ask for supervised visitation so that the 2 can get aquainted. Child supprt and visitation though are totally seperate. Paternity will need to be established.

 

[lilmama87]

Thanks. Paternity had been established but he tried to get me to agree with joint custody so he wouldnt have to pay child support after he told me 2 days before he would sign his rights over then his mom got involved. I just dont want to put my baby thru a rough time with this. I want whats best for her. I agree he should be there but she needs to have time to get used to him and him with her.