Legal Question in Family Law in Alabama

i am the mother of an unborn child. we arent married and i an the father of the child arent together and he will not be on the birth certificate. i want nothing to do with him, not child support or anything. he's a drug dealer and doesnt have a job. his family and him are unfit and i dnt want my child apart of it. my questions are

1. do i have sole custody of my child

2.can he take my child from me

3. can he request a paternity test

4. do i have the option of denying the paternity test

5. does his parents have the right to see my child.

what are the laws. please help.


Asked on 4/23/10, 6:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

James Coleman Murchison & Howard, LLC

1) until the court names someone as the father of the child you alone have custody

2) He can attempt to gain custody of the child by having a court name him as father of the child and then grant custody of the child to him

3) Yes, he can and his request will be granted in all probablilty

4) no

5) grandparents have no "rights" to a child. However, if he gained some right to the child through the legal system he could let his parents see the child.

If he is a druggie and a bad guy you will be able to show that to the court and restrict his access to the child. You should also remind him that he is responsible for child support and a portion of the costs of your medical expenses, and expenses during your pregnancy. You might ask him if he is interested in terminating his parental rights. In that case he is out of the picture and does not owe any money.

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Answered on 4/29/10, 4:49 am


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