California Child Custody

[asnyder003]

I am going to court for child custody of my son who is 5 months. Me and his father were never married/never lived together but he did sign the birth certificate. We also live an hour away from each other. The baby has lived with me since he was born and I let his father come see him whenever he wants or I meet him half way and we go to a mall or park or somewhere. He says I never let him take the baby and then bring him back and I dont but I dont let him because when I was pregnant he told me he would take the baby and I would never see him again. Now he says he never said it but he also called my aunt and said it but he says he didnt do that either. He also has not given me anything to help out..he bought diapers and formula but the baby needs more than that.Hes not working but can afford to buy a new car and new computer but cant help me buy a bigger carseat for the baby. He also spit at me while I was pregnant but I have no proof so I didnt say anything about it when I filed.

On the court papers I filed for full physical/legal custody and he responded wanting joint. I just dont think its best for the baby to be away overnight I think he is too young to understand. I made a mistake and signed something when I was like 8 months pregnant that I would be ok qith him having the baby for 3 nights a week but it doesnt say a date or age to start. I meant for it to be when he is older and he included that in his paperwork when he responded.

What is the typical custody order for Los Angeles? Could that paper I signed make a diffrence even though it doesnt say an age or date to start?

Im also bringing my aunt with me to my trial to sit and watch can she be a witness because he told her he would take the baby and run or will it not count because she is family? If I can do I just tell the judge I want to bring a witness or just have her sign a paper saying he said it?

 

[Proserpina]

If you can prove that he has threatened to abduct the child (your aunt's testimony will likely not be considered), you may be able to have supervised visitation.

Without a court order he's not obliged to pay you anything in child support; likewise you're not obliged to allow any visitation at all (however while it may seem unfair, you not allowing visitation will look worse than him not paying child support).

Typically infant visitation consists of frequent, short visits. Dad will get overnights though eventually.

He might be able to use that document to show your intentions - we really can't guess whether the court will or will not take it into consideration. He'll also likely get joint legal custody.