[padre712]

My girlfriend and I were planning to get married she came out pregnant before we did. We lived together for a short while; we broke up she moved to her parents house. I have seen the baby a couple of times during the holidays for a couple of minutes but she will not allow the baby to stay with me or my mother. I have tried numerous times to see my daughter at her parents house and it usually turns into a fight. What are my rights for visitation as her father if we are not married. I want to be part of my daughters life who is almost three. She will not even agree to meet in an open environment such as a park. I asked my mother to call to arrange a meeting anywhere of her choice and she hangs up on her. I am now married to a diffferent person. We live in Dauphin/Cumberland County Pennsylvania. Please tell me what my rights are. I was at the hospital when she was born and she has my last name.

[jenniepepsi]

At this point, she has the right to deny anyone her child's company.

You need to file for join custody. Because you were not married, you will need to prove you are the father. And, during all this, you will be required to pay child support as well.

Is there any court papers on this at all yet? Do you pay child support?

[ScottGem]

Your rights are no different if you are married or not. The only question is enforcing your rights. Did you sign an acknowledgment of paternity? Are you listed as the father on the birth certificate?

What you need to do is file for joint legal custody and visitation. You should see a lawyer about this tomorrow or ASAP. Absent a court order, she is in control, but denying you will not look good in court.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Fr_Chuck]

You have the same rights as a married father, you have the right to file in court for visitation.