My girlfriend and I had a baby 8 months ago. I signed paternity papers and the birth certificate when my daughter was born. Her mother and I have never lived together although we share custody. She left the baby with me 3 weeks ago. What are my rights as a father if she wants to take the baby back?

excon

Hello shian:

Since you've apparently never formalized your custody arrangement, your rights are the same as hers - which tells you exactly NOTHING.

So go do that! You need to hire a family attorney RIGHT NOW. DO NOT wait until she wants the baby back. DO NOT pass go and collect $200.

excon

teenam1111

You could file child abandonment charges against her . If you don't want her to come and take the baby away from you . Then do that ! I am a Mother of 5 and would never just leave my child and not see them in 3 weeks time ! This way it will show the judge that quite possibly she didn't bond with the baby , that she has no mothering instincts , and that she " has other important things to do" . Rather than check on yalls baby . You also need to bring up this . That the Mother obviously trusts you to take care of the baby . So that will show the judge also . That you are the one that should have custody of her . File for legal custody . It will be really hard for to get her back . Good luck to you .