I am due to have my baby on July 11, 2005 and I want to take my ex-husband to court to get sole custody. I work fulltime and rent a two bedroom house and my ex lives with his girlfriends parents and has had several juobs in the past year and never stays at a job for a long time. He has 2-3 felonies and has been in prison and jails on and off for the past 4 years. He has a drug charge and domestic battery charge. I also have an order of protection against him for breaking into my apartment and threatening me with a knife. I want sole custody with NO visitation and I want him to pay child support. How do I go about doing this and will I win? Help me. I'm desperate.

Hi,
Your chances will be greatly improved with a lawyer.
Get one.
Best wishes,
fredg

Well it varies from state to state. I would get an attorney, if you can't afford an attorney I would contact my states legal aid dept for a free attorney. Bring all your documentation as to the past violence with you when you talk with your attorney, so they realize what they are dealing with. Additionally, there are ways to get around naming a father on a birth certificate if you want info let me know.

The birth of a child has a way of turning the hardest of heart into the sweetest of souls. No, its does not apply to everyone because so people refuse to learn from their mistakes; however, the innocent child, needs its father. Do not bury him, you may live to regret it. Forgive your ex, you never want to speak ill of the child's father, do not allow your bitterness to become your child's. BE fair to the unborn soul. As far as support, strengthen your ex's compliance by not denying him access to his seed; who knows, he may not want to be a part of the child's life, but at least you will confidently know that you are not to blame. Allow supervised visits based on his past; however, know that people are able to change, it there is a willingness on the individual's part. I have seen the hardest of criminals, clean up quick upon laying their eyes upon the innocence of a newborn child. You are hurt, afraid, angry... rightfully so, but you must move beyond this point, you must not continue to be selfish because regardless of what happens now, you now equals two. You are able to forgive your ex... if you choose to. You are able to rise above your fears, for the sake of your child. Think about it, pray about it and do the Righteous thing.