Child Custody - Dallas,TX

I don't think that any of us ( unless there is a child custody lawyer from your state that is reading your question) can really give you an adequate answer to all of this. If you can't afford a lawyer, go to the local legal aide society or if there is a law school in your area, go there and see if they don't have a law clinic that is run by the Law Students, they will take cases, based on what you can afford to pay and represent you in court. They are supervised by their teachers, and it is an excellent system.
I hope that whatever decision is finally made that both of you can put the interest of your child first and not make it about "getting back" at the other parent. I work with a Mother who unfortunately has a terrible, hate filled relationship with her exhusband and their 13 year old son is the one taking the bulk of the pain from it.
Good luck to you

You need to find an attorney NOW. He has custody of your baby and, as court cases take months to make it to court and reach settlement, it is possible that he will get custody based on the need to not disrupt the child's placement. He does have a place to stay. It's with his mama.

You are allowed to see the baby? You need to immediately get an emergency hearing granting you custody. You need an attorney to get this done as quickly as possible. Once you get that order, take it with you when you see the baby and take the baby home with you. I don't know the correct way of doing this. See an attorney NOW>

He does already have physical,if not legal, custody. You need to take immediate action.

If you can't afford one, call Legal Aide to make an appointment.

LATER One mother suggested getting a CASA worker. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. This person, who is a trained volunteer spends time with everyone involved and then makes a recommendation to the court based on what seems to them to be in the best interest of the child. However, you cannot ":hire" a CASA worker. The court has to appoint one. In Oregon and when I was doing this work, the court would appoint a CASA worker if one was asked for by either parent. You can call the CASA office to find out more about them. The CASA organization is separate from the court and the Department of Human Services.

Seriously, get an attorney! You need representation. Some other ladies have already suggested what do do if you cannot afford an attorney. Follow their advice...NOW! On a mom-level, be mindful of what is best for your (your and his) child. Be willing to do what is best, even if its not popular or understood by anyone else. Just because he lives with his mom doesn't mean that's a bad environment for your child. Be willing to be fair; your baby is lucky enough to have two parents that want him/her. Be sure you're taking good care of yourself. You have obviously experienced an emotional upset due to this break-up and the fact that he has your (your and his) baby. Every day you wake up, make a choice to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. You'll need your strength and stability throughout this process.

As far as the BASIC question: He absolutely has a right to at least partial custody as long as he is the biological father, unless it's proven that he's unfit.

UMMMM, CALL THE POLICE. If you are not married and you are the mother, go get your baby! I would call a custody attorney and get some questions answered....before he leaves the country with your child and you get a lot less that visitation. Good luck.

he did that cause who ever has custody and files first generally gets temporay custody. It gives him power over you. Now on the permanant custody they tend to give it to the moms but not always.
they are going to give it to the stable parent. here we have what is called casa if you have it there get it and use it. They are for whats best for the child not the parent one way or another. Its going to get nasty and your in for a long battle. but if you have more money the system is going to lean your way for more than one reason. Stay stable. that is the most important part. Let him stay unstable it works in your favor. I knew one mom who lost her kid and in order to get it back she had to answer questions like how are you going to support this kid what are you going to do for health care day care who watches your child when you are at work. What do you do if you dont have the money to pay your electric. what are you going to do for clothes. what if you have to chose between food and power how do you deal with it.
find all this info out and get all your ducks in a row and pray hard. ask for others prayers too. But I think in the long run you will come out good. Make sure your house is day care clean too. go to dhs and find out what you have to do to get a home day care in your house and follow it to a tee. It says like locks on cabinet doors fire extinguisher smoke detector etc. no your not opening a day care but you will be in full compliance to dhs standards.