How can I protect my custody rightsfrom baby daughter’sfather?
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How can I protect my custody rightsfrom baby daughter’sfather?
The baby isn’t born yet and he’s already told me he didn’t want anything to do with me or the baby. I don’t want child support because that means he has rights to her. I live in one state and he’s from another but works here. If he chooses to file paternity, will they take my baby away from me? I’m a full-time student and live with my parents. He works full-time and lives in an unsafe environment for my child. Can his mother file for anything? She lives in his state as well?
Asked on January 22, 2012 under Family Law, Arizona
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Okay first calm down. Being this upset will not help you or the baby right now. Now, understand that fathers have parental rights separate and apart from child support issues, although they are very closely intertwined. That means he has rights with out your getting support. If his environment is unsafe that is a whole other issue that could or could not tie into termination of rights. Right now if you arenot married you are the child'slegal guardian. He would have to establish parental rights. And it is true that grandparents have rights but they trickle down from the rights of the father. No one is going totake your baby from you but I would strongly suggest that you seeklegal help. Good luck.
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