I am 26 years old, I am currently on government aid to take care of my 3 year son and myself. My son lives with me, and I care for him and all of his needs.I go to college full time in order to better our future. I was with his father for 4 years, he lived with my son and I for about 1 1/2. He went to prison when my son was 8 months old. Got out, and lived with us for a little bit, and went to rehab for a few months. He has never contributed to any of my sons needs, but I don't expect it either. I just want on paper, that I have full custody of my child. He's never done anything for my son, is actively using drugs, and I don't believe he deserves any type of custody. I take my son to his father's parents house every weekend so that they can see him. His father has had many opportunities to see him. I don't keep him away from his son, as long as he is clean and sober. How do I go about getting full custody, is it necessary to go to court, and is there some kind of legal aid I can get in case a lawyer is needed?

Yes, you need to go to court to file for full legal custody. But its unlikely you will deny him any rights if he wants to exercise them.

I am 26 years old, I am currently on government aid to take care of my 3 year son and myself. My son lives with me, and I care for him and all of his needs.I go to college full time in order to better our future. I was with his father for 4 years, he lived with my son and I for about 1 1/2. He went to prison when my son was 8 months old. Got out, and lived with us for a little bit, and went to rehab for a few months. He has never contributed to any of my sons needs, but I don't expect it either. I just want on paper, that I have full custody of my child. He's never done anything for my son, is actively using drugs, and I don't believe he deserves any type of custody. I take my son to his father's parents house every weekend so that they can see him. His father has had many opportunities to see him. I don't keep him away from his son, as long as he is clean and sober. How do I go about getting full custody, is it necessary to go to court, and is there some kind of legal aid I can get incase a lawyer is needed?

I live in Missouri, by the way, and we were never married.

Yes, you need to go to court to file for full legal custody. But its unlikely you will deny him any rights if he wants to exercise them.

I don't understand the process of full custody, really. Could you help? Will there be visitation rights granted? I'm worried, because his father does not have a home, and I don't trust my son in places his father goes. I'm not asking for child support, I'm not asking to take away any rights, just as long as I know my son is safe, I have no problem with him seeing our son.

It does not matter if you were married or not, that does not take or give any rights.

You will have to file for custody, he can file for partial, or for visits. Unless he is a danager to the child he will get visit on specific days, or weeks.

Your area should have a legal aid attorney that may or may not help with the case, depending on their work load and your income level