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

She might also want to show she can afford baby sitters and day care so the chidren won't be at home alone while she has to work.

Answer 2

Judges look at what is in the best interest of the child. Since the child hasn't been born yet, both parents start at a level playing field when they walk into court. Just because she has been depressed in the past, and receives assistance doesn't mean they will take the child. She must establish a (paper trail if possible) pattern of stability. Get a job, even part time. See a therapist, even if she's feeling good, records from the psychiatrist of her stable mood will counter any claims by him that she's unfit because she's depressed. Enroll herself and child is a parent/child class.

Definately show that you are willing to have a cordial relationship with the father. This is very important, that the child be with the parent who is more willing to help foster a relationship with the other parent.

Obviously other things such as history of violence, especially towards children is very damaging. Enroll in some parenting classes, even if you feel you don't need them.

Become very involved in your other childs school activities, it shows a pattern of involved parenting.

If she breast fed her first child, start talking about how important and beneficial it was, how much bonding took place and how she looks forward to breast feeding this child. Share it with her OB/GYN.

If she qualifies for vocational rehab, wonderful --take advantage of it to show she has a willingness to better her life and provide a positive roll model for her children.

Please tell her good luck, and truthfullly in the best interest of her baby - do get along with the babies father so that her baby can have a loving, nurturing relationship with both parents.

Answer 3

She needs to get a job you are right there, and she needs to keep the house clean and neat, cook, keep the clothes washed and be a real good mom.Any dirt he already knows on her he is going to use against her in court, so any thing that she needs to change in her life style she had better get done Asap, good luck