In NJ, do unwed mothers have full custody right from birth? Even with the father having signed the birth certificate? My son's father has been MIA for months and has given his son NO money. The day before the 4th of July, he called and said he wanted to take his son. I said no and it turned into a major fight. As far as I know, he doesn't have a place to live. I filed for custody shortly after and am still waiting for a court date. Should I withdraw? I'm a risking giving him rights by going to court?

What rights are you talking about... he's the father and his rights equal yours...

You might have a preferential spot the first year... but his rights are equal to yours unless it can be proven he would be unfit. And he can always fight for full custody at any time. Just as you can.

In fact the moment you go after child support...you can be assurred he's going to go after custody as well. Because the topic WILL arrise in court.

He can do this even if you do nothing... so its actually better to get it clarified in court as to custody AND vistation....the child IS equally both of yours. Time for you both to start acting more like parents, and less like adversaries..