Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

My ex-fiance is 19 weeks pregnant and we have recently split. We are both 19 and live in northeast Pennsylvania. I go to college full time and will be switching to online in the spring and have a full time job, I only make okay money though, but I do graduate in a year and half with my bachelors degree. We only life 5 minutes apart at home with our parents now. I will be living at home for about two years until I graduate and get a job. Currently I am saving, but on the other hand she doesn't work right now, withdrew from college for this semester, and I do not know if she is switching back to online in the spring like she said. She does have an interview with Target soon. She wants sole custody of the child. I want joint custody so we can each raise the child equally and both be a major part in the child's life. I want to work everything out outside of court. She refuses to talk to me, refused to sit down with me, and said we will be going to court. She also said there is a law in PA that with sole or partial custody the other parent can not have the kid to sleep over til 3 years old. I'm sorry not being able to see my child and take care of him fully, wouldn't make me feel like a father. At her parents house there isn't even an extra bedroom for the kid. At my parents house there is 3 extra bedrooms and the baby would have its own room across from me until I move out. I could move out now but it would be more beneficial for me to stay and save for a down payment to house by the time i get a job with my degree; I am very motivated. I will only be working 3 and half days a week because the days are very long and the rest of the time is free and I would want to see my child. I am looking at the best interest of the kid and she believe that she should have sole custody and the baby shouldn't be bounced around. I don't believe the baby would be bounced around and it would be set and steady. I want the child to be taken care of and I believe we both would be able to do it. I wouldn't do full custody because I do work and putting the child with my family or day care on those days wouldn't make sense since the baby could be with its mother. This information is long but I wanted to give some background information so you would be able to take into account. Since she wants sole custody she said she is going to domestic relations and talking to a lawyer in December and the baby is due March 18th. Would it be wise for me to go to the courthouse or if you would know where I should go to apply for joint custody before the baby is born or afterwards? She doesn't even want me to have the baby for a day for the first month. I could only come and visit. For my situation do you believe that the courts would award sole custody to her or joint custody? I am willing to get a lawyer because this is my child and I want to be there as much as I can, unlike how my dad was. Another question is their anything else I could do? I am just nervous about losing my child; in my eyes that is when the dad only sees the child every other weekend and on opposite holidays. Anything that could help me would be appreciated including laws, any and all information would be so helpful. Thanks -Matt


Asked on 10/21/12, 5:19 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

SAUL SEGAN SAUL H SEGAN ATTY AT LAW

Matt

Too long to respond by e mail.

Feel free to call at 215-370-2608

Website www.saulhsegan.com

Best wishes

Read more
Answered on 10/21/12, 5:24 pm
Glenn Brown Real World Law, P.C.

Get a lawyer, file after baby is born and you should get what the judges in your county believe is reasonable joint custody. Skip the drama, don't take legal advice from anyone other than your own lawyer. Good luck to you.

Read more
Answered on 10/21/12, 6:44 pm
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Seriously, you're not taking her word for it are you? Because that "rule" about being 3 years old is just BS. That said you need to talk to a real lawyer not a college maybe drop out,

{John}

Read more
Answered on 10/21/12, 6:55 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Pennsylvania