I am pregnant with twin boys, the father of my children is a known criminal... not proud of that but it's the truth... I found out I have a heart disease that is supposed to be taking my life in the next year or two... I don't know if I should give the father my children or pass them on to my mother when I pass away? He is in and out of jail, but I hate the idea of my children not knowing their father... what should I do?

Not sure what you mean by pass them on to your mom ? Children are not property. In a case like this you will need to follow the law very carefully. Why is he in and out of jail / prison ? Another thing you may be able to do is grant your mom guardianship of the child / children before things get bad and that may help with custody issues.

Being that they are not property they are children you will have little say in the matter. You can have the person named in the will as where you want them to live but the other one can challenge it in court very easily. Your mom will have a case because of the fathers record and the father will have a case because he is the father... he will be first in line to take his kids in your death. And it will be up to your mother to fight for them. Unless you do as calif suggested and after they are born grant your mom guardianship it might help in the court a little but that's where it will end up if the father and your mother do not agree on custody. And they should take it to court even if they do agree to get the judge's signature making it binding so the other can't go back on their word with out court approval or consequences.