[RVerhine]

I have a two year old daughter and her father has known about her since I was 2 months pregnant. He told me that I had to have an abortion or give her up for adoption. He quit his job, changed his phone number and moved so that I couldn't find him. I didn't speak with him again until her second Christmas. He called from a private number and when I asked if he'd like to meet her he told me not for a few years. I was wondering if I filled for child support would he be able to gain any custody rights to her?

[J_9]

If you filed for child support, and you should, she is just as much his responsibility as yours, he would have rights to visitation if he chose to pursue visitation. You would have sole and legal custody and, if he wants, he could have limited or liberal visitation, whatever the court orders.

[macksmom]

Child support has no bearing on custody or visitation... he can pursue these rights whenever he wishes... with or without child support.

But, as is the case with a lot of men who are not in the picture... filing for child support can push them to file for visitation.

You should get child support, as your child deserves financial support from both the mother and the father.