Even though my baby's father did not sign the birth certification. Do i need to petition for custody for my child? I do not want my child around his father due to him being violent and to him having an untreated bipolar disorder that his sister informed me about. What should I do?
2007-01-15 17:30:15 · 6 answers · asked by nikki 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I honestly don't think that you do need to petition, but I would anyway just for your own peace of mind.
My advice would be to talk to a lawyer, if you can afford it.
Legally, he doesn't have much of a leg to stand on, but he can always take a paternity test for proof, if he wants custody.
If he doesn't, you're okay.
2007-01-15 17:36:31 · answer #1 · answered by White Dude X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the exact same situation. I'm about to have a baby and my ex is violent, an alcoholic, and has bipolar disorder but doesn't take his meds. You should talk to a lawyer (the first consultation is usuallly free). You don't need to petition for custody because you already have sole custody. He has no custody rights and the only way he can get them is by taking you to court. Even then, with his behavior the most he should be able to get is supervised visitation. I sympathize with you, the thought of my ex being alone with my child makes me physically ill.
2007-01-16 16:18:22 · answer #2 · answered by LaLa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not need to allow him access to the child until it is proven that he is the father and a court orders it. If I were you, I would not intiate custody proceedings yourself as it will be quite costly and may be unncessary given that you can restrain him from removing the child from your custody in the current circumstances (call the police if he tries).
If he files an Application with the Court, then you can go from there but until he does, I wouldn't consider it an issue. That said though, if you are worried he will take the child, then you are best to file an Applicatoin with the Court for sole custody and maybe even a restraining order if you are worried that he will be violent etc.
2007-01-16 03:11:18 · answer #3 · answered by OziGirl_222 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are unmarried then you do not need a custody order. HOWEVER the baby's father can file for visitation of the baby. Your best bet is to talk to a lawyer and see what your state laws are.
2007-01-16 02:51:38 · answer #4 · answered by princessbummer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fight like hell. If you are a decent person you will get to keep custody. It is rare for the father to get custody unless the mother is pretty sorry.
2007-01-16 01:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you still need to go to court to take away his rights. It would be better to do it now while your child is still young. If he is violent no court will allow him to have any rights.
2007-01-19 18:34:34 · answer #6 · answered by georgiann_67 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋