Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

Mothers rights & fears / Child custody/support

I have been dating a woman for approx. a year and half who has an 8 year old child. She and the father never married. She paid for the entire pregnacy (with help from the state). The father (after the first six months of the childs life) now pays a nominal (non legal) child support. The child was never legitimized. She allows the father overnight weekend custody on an every other weekend arrangment. My question is: I own my own home and would like for them to be able to spend the weekends with me. I have set up my guest room as a childs room. The mother is terrified of staying over for fear that the father could, in her words(use it against me)if he ever wanted to take custody away from her. This (use it against me) fear has also prevented her from seeking proper child support. It's the old - they've got lots of money, they could manipulate the system if I ever tried to take them to court. In this type of situation, are there grounds for fear.


Asked on 10/12/02, 9:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Pearlie Bush

Re: Mothers rights & fears / Child custody/support

In Georgia, the father of the child has no rights to the child until he legitimates the child. The mother does not have to allow him visits with the child, until such legitimation took place and th e father petitioned the courts for visitation rights. It's good that the situation is working out so greatly, however, it should not harm her if she stayed overnight occassionally at your place of residence.

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Answered on 10/12/02, 2:43 pm


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