What more can this lady due to increase her chances of custody in case court get involved.?

Question

A neighbor I know is pregant the baby is due in May. She afraid the child father will take the child and she will never get to see the baby if they go to court. I told her this. You must get a job right away. A good judge will look at that. You have to have income to take care of baby. She does suffer from depression prior this issue and just found out she will be eligible for Vocational Rehab (they help people disabled to look for work). I also told her the child father does work and he told you he will take care of the child. I told her it best to your advantage to get along with him. He is the breadwinner of the family. They don't live together but do live down the street. I also told her you also have anonther child that 6yrs. Any action you do toward him negative. They may take your child away because all she get is food stamps and medicare. I told her even if you work part-time that look better than not having no income at all. I told her she a counseling if you need to

Answer 1

Without knowing the entire situation, courts generally prefer mothers in custody cases. A good option, if its possible, would be to avoid court and reach a mutually agreeable joint-custody agreement. I'll assume that is not possible here.

Your advice on getting a job is good, but she won't lose her baby for being poor. The father saying he will support the child is good, but he is required to whether he wants to or not. She should refrain from taking illegal drugs--if she has done so in the past she needs to stop and have evidence that she is no longer using. She should come up with similar ameliorative evidence to bolster her character for any other negatives she may have (hit someone, anger management, etc). She should show that she is handling her depression (medication, therapy, whatever is recommended for her). The vocational rehab program is a great idea and will show that she is taking the right steps to take care of herself and her child.