Parental Rights?????????

Question

Ok. So I am 6 weeks pregnant, and a lot has happened in the last few days between me and the father. I know he wants to be a part of this baby's life, but i'm too scared that he will bail and if he can't be part of my life, why be part of the baby's. He wants to go back to the ex, who is very unstable and a previous drug addict. And I am getting threats that my baby isn't safe with him. What do I do?

Answer 1

You and the dad need to get some legal mediation. You need to maybe discuss supervised visitation and you both need family counseling, right now.

The baby has to be of first concern between you and the dad. Period. It would be highly unfair of you to forbid him access to his child. You child will grow up to resent you, no matter what the circumstances.

It's important that the child know both parents under healthy and stable circumstances, even if that requires court ordered supervision.

Instead of playing into some sort of drug addled soap opera and drama, put on your big girl mommy pants and do the right thing by your impending baby and get the counseling and legal advise you all need. And do it now. Dad has rights, like it or not. You have rights too. But most importantly your baby has a right to know his/her parents without any nonsense.

Answer 2

I would put a restraining order on his ex.  I'm sure the father is a nice man, but the ex is what would scare me.  You don't want your baby with her, do you? I would let HIM visit me and the baby, but if she steps foot near me, call the police.

Answer 3

First and foremost:  He has a right to be part of the child's life, and the unborn baby has the RIGHT to know who its dad is, and to love dad, regardless of the relationship between mom and dad.  With that in mind can you do a few things to make sure that things go as smooth as possible:  first of all, have him sign for the child already.  That'll spare you having to go through a lot of stress if he would decide to bail out.  Secondly, try to establish in writing some form of agreement about visitation rights, including the fact that you do not wish for the child to be alond with him and his ex.  He can fight that one in court, but then he would have to show that he and she are fit--after all, you can explain(if it comes to that), why you had asked him to sign such a statement.  No court will take your claim that ex is a former drug addict as a valid reason and if you cannot prove threats, no one will take them seriously....so your best bet is to establish something upfront as far as paternity, childsupport, and visitation go.  If he is willing to share additional responsibilities, such as health insurance for the baby, that's even better.  

The least something in writing will do for you, is give you peace of mind, for you know that you tried your best to put things in order in a civil manner.  In addition, if he signs the paperwork today, and something happens to him tomorrow, then guess what?  Your child will be entitled to Social Security benefits---something that would be hard for you to get otherwise.

Let him be the father, because there are too many who bail out and who don't want to even acknowledge their children---but get in writing whatever you can to secure future rights for your child(and have everything notarized--or, if that's not feasable, get two independent people watching him sign and have them sign that they witnessed him signing it--that will hold up in court just as a notarized document---good lukc

Answer 4

If this is in the UK, I would recommend getting professional legal advice. You may qualify for legal aid and many solicitors offer an initial free interview. I am afraid it is some time since I studied family law. I do not think that you can prevent the father having contact but you can restrict the circumstances if there is any risk of danger to your baby. A court may ask what efforts you made to reach compromise with the father without affecting your baby's safety. As I say, it would be best to get legal advice.

Hope that helps. Good luck