[hawkchic]

My daughter is now 2 1/2yrs old. Her father has never been involved. Never gotten a DNA test, never visits, is not on birth certificate. Barely pays child support. Was abusive when we were together, have pictures showing where he hit my pregnant belly with a toilet plunger while I was taking a shower. Ended up in a woman's homeless shelter. He is upset that I am asking him to please pay child support. Child Support Recover has advised me that they are willing to take him to court. He argues that the court will allow him his "rights", that they will side with him. Should I be concerned?

[ScottGem]

The father has rights, but he has to establish them in a court. You can't get child support without establishing paternity. So the court will order testing. This will establish him as the legal father. While this gives you the right to support, it also gives him the right to visitation.

Given his non involvement, he is likely to only get supervised visits, at least at first. You may be able to even prevent that, IF you can prove his violent nature makes him a danger to the child.

[hawkchic]

He has already been paying child support, without established paternity, but barely paying the minimum. He believes that she is his, just hasn't really cared.

[hawkchic]

Well, he never really cares until I bring up, "where is my child support". Then he turns into a female dog and likes to make threats. But, ultimately, he doesn't care. He has never shown any interest.

[ScottGem]

That doesn't matter. He may be paying support, but not under a court order. If he changes his mind and wants visitation he will likely get some level of visitation.