How do I get sole custody of my child? Is it expensive?

Question

My child's father is not interested in being a parent. Our child is only 8month, and her father has visited about 8 times since her birth. He is in college in another state. He was sending support but has since stop.

Answer 1

As long as he doesn't sue for guardianship, you automatically have sole custody of your child. You will need that child support, as the expenses are just beginning, talk to a lawyer or a government agency to help you get that going again.

Nobody is interested in being a parent. It happens and you take responsibility for it. You have, he has to as well. Best wishes, G

Answer 2

I assume that you have NO court order currently in place establishing custody and child support?

But if he's not on the birth certificate, then he legally has no parental rights and no parental responsibilities. However, if this is the case, he could petition the court later if he finds out and demands a paternity test, unlikely if he doesn't seem interested in being a parent.

You'll need to petition a judge for full custody. Yes, it might be expensive (an attorney will tell you), but for the child's sake isn't it worth doing RIGHT? If so, then inform the father of what you are doing and that you want to terminate his parental rights/responsibilities if he will agree. If he agrees, then you should have no trouble. If he does not, you will have a custody battle, which would happen anyway if he finds out later and protests.