[mariajane1225]

My son was born on 31st of July. I have been living with my friend since before my son was born. Since my son was born I only worked 1 week but had to quit my job due to not having transportaTION or baby sitter. My son's father moved us into apartment for last two months of the year. He is not on birth certificate but he wants to claim my son on his taxes. Can he do that? Also, the father has only provided for my son for last two months. He doesn't pay for his food because I get it from WIC. And he hasn't providd my son with clothes or insurance. All he has done is give me a roof over the head. But he doesn't help me with my son in any way excep shelter. Should he have the full custody? Should I apply for full custody of my son? I am afraid that he will take my baby away from me just because he has money and I don't. What should I do? Please help me!

[martinizing2]

I would strongly suggest that you get this matter taken care of in court.
If you cannot afford an attorney contact your local bar association or legal aid and see if they can refer you an attorney or association who will help you.

If your boyfriend is the father he should be named on the birth certificate and be responsible to support his child.
He should also have access to be part of the child's life if he chooses and is not a threat or danger to the child.

The issue of who has money and who doesn't will not determine where the child goes. The courts will look out for the best interest of the child.
Being able to provide a safe comfortable home is important as is the ability to care and nurture the child.

Who gets to claim the child on taxes is the least of your worries and is also a matter the court can and will settle.

You need to get with an attorney as soon as possible and get professional advice that applies to your local situation.

I wish you well.

[Jake2008]

Had to spread the love Martin.

Just wanted to add a few things.

Because you don't have a legal arrangement set up, the father of your baby is holding hammers over your head, literally. He has provided an apartment and is paying the rent. If you don't comply, you could end up in a shelter or on the street. I think another word for that is blackmail.

Most likely, with him paying rent, he's putting out money that with a court ordered support order, would be a good chunk of what you would get anyway. Instead of him directly paying the rent in other words, he would send you a support cheque, and you could pay your own rent and not worry about how long you'll have a place to live.

And, if you are capable of working, you should be focusing on getting back to work, even if you need to use public transportation to get to where you're going. That too, would provide not only income, but also less dependence on the "generosity" of the baby's father.

If you are already on assistance, AND receiving 'support' from the baby's father, I presume you are not declaring this income, which would substantially reduce what you get from the state.

The only way around this is to seek legal assistance through sources such as mentioned by Martin. You run the risk of the baby's father, of using his son as a deduction, because he IS paying toward his care, by providing and paying for the rent. Eventually, all this will catch up to you.

The sooner you see a lawyer, the sooner you will know what each of you can, and cannot do.