Legal Question in Family Law in Arkansas

Unmarried Mother-Afraid father won't bring baby home

My child is 16 months old. The father and I have never married. When the child was born, he and I lived in my mothers' home. He left a month or so ago. He provides no support and just drops in & out. I do not hear from him on a regular basis. Recently his parents have requested to have the baby for over night visits in their home 90 miles away. I do not want to deny the father and his family visitation with our baby, but I'm afraid they may try to keep her. What can I do to ensure her timely return to my home, to put in place some guidelines for her care while in their home, and possibly get some financial help from her father?


Asked on 4/05/02, 3:06 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Butch Hale Hale and Young

Re: Unmarried Mother-Afraid father won't bring baby home

Was the father ever recognized as the child's father by a court of law? In other words, was paternity ever established in court? The mere fact that he signed the birth certificate or had his name added on it means nothing. You do not have to let the child go with him or any of his family if he has not been legally recognized as the father. Why would you if he is not even supporting the child financially?

We will gladly file a paternity action against him so that visitation can be set up and monitored by a court. He will be responsible for child support from the date the child was born. We charge $750.00 for paternity cases. That charge includes the court costs.

Butch

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Answered on 4/05/02, 7:26 am


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