Child Support & Visitatation for an unmarried couple

[Busybusymom53]

We need to know what rights we have in this situation. My 22 year old year old daughter has just had a baby. The father of the child says he is willing to accept his responsibility regarding this child. They never married or lived together. We need to know the rights we have regarding custody and child support and also visitation. We live in Texas.

[elklaw]

Sounds like you need to establish paternity, then file a petition to establish custody and support matters. This sounds like a situation in which there would be joint custody-- your daughter as primary custodial parent and the fahter with liberal visitation.

[afnam]

Originally Posted by Busybusymom53

We need to know what rights we have in this situation. My 22 year old year old daughter has just had a baby. The father of the child says he is willing to accept his responsibility regarding this child. They never married or lived together. We need to know the rights we have regarding custody and child support and also visitation. We live in Texas.

Is marriage an option. Give them a chance to let the child grow with both parents. Otherwise, both or one of the parents can retain an attorney to mediate the arrangments. If the father is willing to accept responsibility ,then one attorney can handle the whole thing for both parties.The mother by nature will have the majority of the courts rule at this moment. That is the Texas way,for bonding purposes.But dont count on that or take anything for granted. Texas is awarding more men custody these days.Between both parents ,visitation , child support and other things should be agreed on before the attorney becomes involved.Have them think hard about what they want for this child , because it can go south and get ugly very fast.Be fair about the decisions and everything should go ok unless he changes his mind.

[mommyof5]

Originally Posted by Busybusymom53

We need to know what rights we have in this situation. My 22 year old year old daughter has just had a baby. The father of the child says he is willing to accept his responsibility regarding this child. They never married or lived together. We need to know the rights we have regarding custody and child support and also visitation. We live in Texas.

the only WE in this is your daughter and the child's father. they are the only ones with rights to this child, or legal standing to do anything.

[xena]

Originally Posted by mommyof5

the only WE in this is your daughter and the child's father. they are the only ones with rights to this child, or legal standing to do anything.

OK, idiot. I posted yesterday and was very nice to you. Unfortunately you apparently thought that gave you license to continue to dredge up very OLD threads.

My mistake for being nice, but never again- I deleted my post, and I will continue to point out your stupidity from now on.