Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

Single mom needs help.

Please Help! I am a single mother. I am 5 months pregnant by my ex-finace. He is a very strong willed individual and he wants shared parenting of the baby as well as he wants to be in the delivery room. He thinks the baby should have over night visits with him even as an infant. I do not want any of this but I fear he will fight me for full custody if I do not agree with everything he says. He is a prominent figure with an impressive history. ie..State dept employee, lettrs of recognition from president of USA, ex-foreign service member, ex USMC. Do I have a chance here? Can I stop him from getting shared parenting or worse yet full custody? And do I have to let him into the delivery room? I am desperate and terrified!


Asked on 8/09/00, 8:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gregg Manes Gregg A. Manes, Esq.

Re: Single mom needs help.

First of all, since you are not married to the guy, he has to go through juvenile Court or the child support department in order to have paternity determined. Until that is done he has no rights.

It is well within your decision to exclude him from the delivery room. Make the hospital personnel the bad guy and the hospital personnel will keep him away from you. If you still want support, I would suggest a doula.

Finally, as to your question about removing custody. It is highly unlikely that they will take a child of that age away from you especially if you are nursing as long as you are a fit parent. The standard order of visitation developed by the Courts in Summit County give no overnight visitation to an infant. I would check with the Juvenile Court where you live as to what their standard order of visitation states.

Good luck!!!!

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Answered on 9/15/00, 10:17 am


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