Michael V asked:


I live in AR and we were never married but have a child, we still live together and I have been providing all of the support for our child for the 5 months she has been born. The mother has no job but plans on getting one. I have established paternity, how hard would it be to get joint custody if she won’t agree to it?

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

6 Responses to “What does it take for a father to get Joingt custody of child?”

1. M v on September 29th, 2009 12:55 am

   Caffeinated Content

   If you guys are separating, then I would see why you might want to get custody, but if you two are living together as husband and wife, whats the point?

2. Jenni R on October 1st, 2009 1:39 am

   Caffeinated Content

   are you on the birth certificate? If so your fine. if not get on it… or you could go to court and deal with that… if you have documentation of paternity you should be fine… it would be even better if you have documentation (ie, receipts, bills) for your care of the baby, too. good luck

3. working mom of 3 on October 4th, 2009 4:35 am

   Caffeinated Content

   Not hard at all if you can establish that you have been supporting and caring for the child. Make sure you are involved with your daughter and her everyday care.

   Good Luck!

4. rec girl on October 6th, 2009 8:04 am

   Caffeinated Content

   Not hard all, as long as you can prove a stable, loving environment for the child (i.e. no criminal history, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and steady employment and residence, etc.)

5. lil southern girl on October 9th, 2009 12:22 pm

   Caffeinated Content for WordPress

   Not hard at all if you are providing the support for BOTH of them. It still could cost a bit of money for the whole court procedure if she won’t agree, but in that you are the primary caregiver for everyone, it is not likely your request would be turned down by the court. Even if she gets mad and moves out, taking the child with her, probably the worst that would happen is you share joint legal custody with her having primary physical custody and you having liberal visitation. But the court might even grant joint legal and joint physical if you are living close to each other. Talk to an attorney in your town who does family law to find out for sure, as what’s commonly done varies from state to state. I don’t see you having a big problem with it though.

6. BeachBum on October 10th, 2009 10:04 pm

   Caffeinated Content

   Just file for it… this is the 21st century, its not hard.