single mother and father rights in california

I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant and the father of my baby and I are no longer together. I've heard that because of the fact that we are not married he doesn't have paternal rights to my baby until he signs paternity papers and then he would have to take me to court for visitation. Is this true? I was just wonder as a single mother what my rights are to my baby and what his right are to the baby as well? I've tried to sit with him and talk about it but he is having no part in that...I have the feeling he will try and take me to court so I would like to be better prepared as to what I can expect in this situation. Thank you.

[randalljd]

he will have visitation rights if he goes to court; and he has to pay support as well if you demand it

My ex- girlfriend is now pregnant. We are somewhat on speaking terms but she is threatening to leave the state and live with her mother. What are my rights to the baby? Is there any hope of getting joint custody(50-50 or better)?

[randalljd]

You can file in court and have a court set out what rules shall govern visitation, travel etc--if you two cannot agree.

I am 7.5 mos pregnant and the father has exited on me entirely. He moved me out of the house we shared when I was on vacation, has left me on my own, and our communication has deteriorated since that time. He says he wants nothing to do with me. I want to move to California to be with my family. I wish to bring up this baby myself having endured a great deal of emotional harm at the hands of this man during my pregnancy, so can I just do this? Take care of the baby on my own, not declare any paternal responsibility or take any support?

[Xena]

Originally Posted by Unregistered I am 7.5 mos pregnant and the father has exited on me entirely. He moved me out of the house we shared when I was on vacation, has left me on my own, and our communication has deteriorated since that time. He says he wants nothing to do with me. I want to move to California to be with my family. I wish to bring up this baby myself having endured a great deal of emotional harm at the hands of this man during my pregnancy, so can I just do this? Take care of the baby on my own, not declare any paternal responsibility or take any support?

yes, as long as you are not married to the father you can legally move.

You do not have to declare paternity ever, unless you ever recieve public assistance.

The father will have the right to file in court to establish paternity, but it sounds like that's not something he's planning to do.

I know this probably doesn't sound smart, but I'm pregnant with my ex-boyfriends child, but I don't want anything to do with him because he'd rather be with another woman. I still love him so much that I can't stand the sight of them together, but like I said, I want him to leave me alone. Is there any rights that I have as a mother to be that would help me out?

[tbyte]

You mean do you, as the mother, have any rights that would allow you to deny your child the benefit of a relationship with its father?
Its time to start putting the welfare of the child first, young lady. What you feel, or what the father feels, is of secondary importance.

[PapaJohn]

Originally Posted by tbyte You mean do you, as the mother, have any rights that would allow you to deny your child the benefit of a relationship with its father? Its time to start putting the welfare of the child first, young lady. What you feel, or what the father feels, is of secondary importance.

HERE HERE!!!!!!!!! That is the exact point that way too many people keep denying now a days. Just because you do not like your partner or former partner does not mean they are a bad person or would be a bad parent. Every child deserves and NEEDS BOTH parents!!!!!!!!!!! If you can't get along well enough to civilly discuss custody then appoint a friend or family member who can do this as a mediator. If you can't do this then a court can appoint one. Court should be the last resort as it only inflames the situation. It is always best to civilly decide on custody issue out side of court first and then once an agreement is made go to court only for the purpose of getting it on paper and legalized.

I am 15 weeks pregnant, my boyfriend of 1 year flipped out.
He is a sheriff, and upon telling him of the pregnancy, he decided to reveal that he is not divorced as he told me, but that he is married and will not be associated with this child or me in anyway. He is now threating me to leave his name out of it or else when all my freinds and family know he is the father. He is stating I am ruining his life!
I am scared because I do need help financially to raise this child. But I hear the anger and desperation in his voice and I am worried about what he may do.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you.