Re: Out of state custody

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Unless he has legally established his paternal rights to
your child under the laws of your state, he has no legal
rights to your child, and, therefore, custody is not an
issue until/unless he legally etablishes his paternal rights.

Legally establishing his paternal rights may -- repeat may --
give him visitation rights and sometimes might give him some
type of shared custody but also obligates him to pay child
support should a court determine he's biodaddy.

On 12/18/09, jen wrote:
> I am a single mother to a 17 month old. His father and I
> were never married. I live in California, father lives in
> Utah (we had a long distance relationship). Our
> relationship ended during my pregnancy. We talk almost
> every day (re: child) but visits our son two days at a
> time once every 2-3 months. He wealthy and can visit as
> often as he wants, but doesn't come often, therefore
> currently they have no bond or established relationship. I
> want him to be in my son's life and in an effort to do so
> I've taken my son to Utah twice so far to visit his
> father. He is starting to say that I don't take his son to
> see him often enough (which is difficult to do at his age)
> and because of this, I am keeping his son away from him. I
> tell him he can visit anytime he wants. If he takes me to
> court to get custody, what kind of custody arrangement is
> likely for out of state parents? Would they take into
> consideration that he's been absent for most of his life
> or will they just start making the baby go to utah with
> people he is not familiar with?