[liza6812]

I am currently 3 and 1/2 months pregnant due in the beginning of June. My ex and I split up a little over a month ago. So far its cordial and we are civil with one another. I am 20 and the father is 18, currently. We both live in Louisiana and the child will be living with me. My concern is over visitation and/ or custody while my child is born. What is usually the agreement parents come to concerning unwed parents and a newborn? Also, I plan on giving my baby my last name being that I am not married, but still plan on putting the fathers name on the birth certificate. Will this affect his paternal rights and responsibilities when it comes to custody and/or visitation and child support?

[liza6812]

Also, I don't know if it matters- but I do intend to breastfeed.Thanks for any insight you may have!

[Fr_Chuck]

First you may use any name you prefer, that is your choice.

If you list him as father ( if he will sign the birth certificate) does not give or take away any of his rights, If he is listed on the birth certificate he just does not have to prove paternity to get those rights.

He can ask for joint custody, where he would have the child 1/2 of the time and you have the child 1/2 of the time, often with newborns they may hold that off for 6 months or so. Also he will get visitation out side of your home.

But after that, he can get equal rights to the child, but physical and legal. ** it is happening more and more.
At the least he would get every other weekend ( entire weekend) and normally one day during the week.
Plus of course every other major holiday.

[liza6812]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[Fr_Chuck]

Now that is general rules, every court and even every judge can be different. I was in one court where the judge felt every man was the slim of the earth, men did not do well.
I was in another where the judge was very pro men's rights to visit.

Also a lot will depend what the father wants, often they don't have the desire to do anything with infants but visit for shorter periods