My ex and I have a kid together. He was born during Covid and I was away at the time, and it ended up that my name never got on his birth certificate. When we split up we never went to court over custody or child support or any of that stuff, we just made a civil agreement between the two of us how we’d co-parent. And it’s been working well so far.
Well not too long ago I decided that I needed to legally codify my status as his biological father so I had the two of us fill out what’s called an Acknowledgement of Paternity, which gets my name on the birth certificate. There were no selfish motives at the time, it was just the right thing to do.
Fast forward to today. My ex has a new gf and they’re getting very close and she’s been engaging in some fuckery where she’s telling my son that he can’t talk about dad (me) in front of his new “mama.” Never mind that fact that I provide the both of them with an insane amount of material support and that he’s with me every weekend. I don’t know what’s going on, but the situation smells to me like she wants to try and push me out of the picture. Well, guess what? I am legally the boy’s biological father, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto now. So if push comes to shove I am fully prepared to invoke those rights, drag her ass to court, and we can do all that custody stuff she never wanted to do.
I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that, but I’m glad I secured my legal rights when I did or that would be a lot tougher.
(Also to add I’m not posting this as ragebait nor am I soliciting advice. I know exactly how I’m going to handle this if I need to.)
I am legally the boy’s biological father, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto now. So if push comes to shove I am fully prepared to invoke those rights, drag her ass to court, and we can do all that custody stuff she never wanted to do.
Hell yeah you should if it comes to that! I was reading with bated breath through that first paragraph and relief when I saw you filed for paternity acknowledgment. You’re his dad and no one should try to erode that relationship. Hopefully you’ll never have to go to court though!
That’s exactly why I lined up a lawyer for custody when I knew I had to divorce my ex.
I try to be as patient as I can with her because I still care about her. She’s got a lot of mental health struggles and she’s been through hell. Sometimes she takes it out on me in ways she doesn’t intend, and 99% of the time I can just confront her directly and that solves the problem. I already confronted her about this, and I haven’t decided if I believe her story yet but at least she knows where I stand. Legal action is the nuclear option but I’m hoping that this gets resolved well before that.
You’re a good dad for doing so as well. End of the day, that’s still your kid’s mom. I’m glad you’re standing up for your rights without being an out and out asshole about it lol
Wishing you all of the luck and lots of good things ahead on your parenting journey!
Need to give a little backstory here…
My ex and I have a kid together. He was born during Covid and I was away at the time, and it ended up that my name never got on his birth certificate. When we split up we never went to court over custody or child support or any of that stuff, we just made a civil agreement between the two of us how we’d co-parent. And it’s been working well so far.
Well not too long ago I decided that I needed to legally codify my status as his biological father so I had the two of us fill out what’s called an Acknowledgement of Paternity, which gets my name on the birth certificate. There were no selfish motives at the time, it was just the right thing to do.
Fast forward to today. My ex has a new gf and they’re getting very close and she’s been engaging in some fuckery where she’s telling my son that he can’t talk about dad (me) in front of his new “mama.” Never mind that fact that I provide the both of them with an insane amount of material support and that he’s with me every weekend. I don’t know what’s going on, but the situation smells to me like she wants to try and push me out of the picture. Well, guess what? I am legally the boy’s biological father, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto now. So if push comes to shove I am fully prepared to invoke those rights, drag her ass to court, and we can do all that custody stuff she never wanted to do.
I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that, but I’m glad I secured my legal rights when I did or that would be a lot tougher.
(Also to add I’m not posting this as ragebait nor am I soliciting advice. I know exactly how I’m going to handle this if I need to.)
Hell yeah you should if it comes to that! I was reading with bated breath through that first paragraph and relief when I saw you filed for paternity acknowledgment. You’re his dad and no one should try to erode that relationship. Hopefully you’ll never have to go to court though!
That’s exactly why I lined up a lawyer for custody when I knew I had to divorce my ex.
I try to be as patient as I can with her because I still care about her. She’s got a lot of mental health struggles and she’s been through hell. Sometimes she takes it out on me in ways she doesn’t intend, and 99% of the time I can just confront her directly and that solves the problem. I already confronted her about this, and I haven’t decided if I believe her story yet but at least she knows where I stand. Legal action is the nuclear option but I’m hoping that this gets resolved well before that.
You’re a good dad for doing so as well. End of the day, that’s still your kid’s mom. I’m glad you’re standing up for your rights without being an out and out asshole about it lol
Wishing you all of the luck and lots of good things ahead on your parenting journey!