Single mother seeking guidance on child custody and support

Indianapolis, Indiana

My ex-boyfriend and I just split about a month ago. We were never married and have a 7 month old son. After we had the baby I got rid of my old car and got a new safer one. My ex-boyfriend works through the day while, to save us money, I stay home through the day and work nights. In the Spring I will also be a full-time student. I've been told that I have all rights to my son since we never were married, but I'm being pulled in both directions. After we split my ex and I had a verbal agreement that for child support he would pay for my car. We discussed a joint custody paper and going to an attorny and getting it legalized. Well, lately my ex has threatened to take my car and phone away and dropping my son off and saying inappropriate things to me degrading me as a mother. He also has this new girlfriend that he's known for just a month and he's already bringing her around my son. Things have just gone in a total different direction than I imagined they would. I'm starting to see the true colors of him and his family. His parents told me last night, to protect him, that they've sent out a paper saying that since I've moved out of our apartment that he's payed my car for child support and if I don't agree that then they will take my car away. I'm sick and tired of them playing that card. They dangle the car in my face because they know that I'll do the right thing for my son and they get the right thing for their son so he doesn't get screwed. And I get that, but I don't even want the car if they're going to be like this. That car is my only transportation is obviously they're not thinking of their son. What are my rights? Should I not sign the paper? If he got rid of my old car and got me another, shouldn't he provide something? I just want this all to be settle. I'm going to child support office the 24th and I wish it would come sooner. I'm only 20 years old and have no idea what my rights are and what I can and can't allow for my son and his dad. Help!

If you cannot get the car issue resolved then file ASAP in court for child support and show then you don't need to rely on them further. You will be in control, including regarding visitation etc.!

Bad advice.

Once you file for child support, he can, and likely will, file for full custody of the child. So, you won't be "in control" of whether he gets to see his kid or not. He will receive some sort of custody/visitation and you must abide by the court order or you can be held in contempt. There will be no "allowing" of anything by you, as the father has just as many rights as you do. He's not merely a paying babysitter whom you allow to see his own child every once in awhile.

If a person needs to file for child support, they are, indeed, dependent on others so it's unclear where the last poster got the idea that doing so will make you a totally dependent person who does not need to rely on "them" anymore. This factual statement does not, however, absolve both parents from financially supporting their children.

The car, if in your name in title/registration, is yours, regardless of who made the payments, so fluff off what the parents are saying. In fact, fluff off anything they say as this is none of their business and they have no legal authority to do anything involving your child. They are merely the grandparents.

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And if the car is in their name - go get your own car. Even if you have to go to one of those buy here pay here's that cost a fortune or if you have to buy a clunker for now (as banks are tight with loans though you should try that first).

Signing a parenting agreement will likely mean you will have to abide by it for a LONG time. Think about it HARD. Find a solicitor that will take payments or work with you review anything you sign.

Sock him with a big juicy court order for child support!! That's what i did in similar circumstances.

And tell grandma to piss off.

Actually, being that you are the custodial parent... You DO have more rights then the non-custodial (father) parent. Though he does have rights, you have the final say so in any decision that is made regarding your child! If he shows up in court and states that he wants custody of the child then that is a different story. They will ask you both q number of questions regarding your life, your current living situation, employment and etc. However, he would have to get a dang good lawyer to fight that battle! No judge in Marion Co will take a child... a baby at that, away from their mother unless a good reason has been proven! When it comes to the car situation... Do NOT mention that in court. It will not even be considered! Reason being that a child is not being supported over a car payment being made. That issue will need to be addressed in civil court. When it comes to visitation between your child and the childs father, the courts recommend that you and the other parent come to an agreement. Should you not be able to do so, the courts will direct you to their website, which will obtain their standard guidelines for visitations. As far as child support... The courts will calculator that will be based on both parties income, child care expenses along with who pays those costs, how many overnight visits the child has with the non custodial parent and so on. The whole situation can and most likely will get real ugly and it's a drag, but when it's all said and done... It's all about the child! Good luck with everything!! Here the link to the child support guidelines for Indiana.... Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines

You could find valuable information regarding the custody and child support issues at your local law library or the court self-help center at Self-Service Legal Center (Indiana Supreme Court)
Please consult with an attorney for the most accurate answers to your questions. I cannot give you legal advice but I caution you to seek legal help before signing any documents that you do not understand. As the previous post mentioned, the dispute about the car is a civil matter. Family Court and UIFSA (child support court) will not consider this car payment deal in their calculations.

I was wondering....is the father still a minor? Is he named on the child's birth certificate? Who owns the vehicle? What was the paper that you received from the grandparents?

I hope you are doing well. Please read everything on the internet especially fathers seeking full custody areas. "winningcustody.com" which is a site for fathers. They are taught tactics to fight it as a "warfare" and are given subtle clues to be "unfair". Father do folllow the advice to the "t". May God help you through your difficult times.
From a mother.