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my ex partner is currently pregnant with our child, I wanted to know what rights I have in applying for full custody. My ex is an alcoholic drinking through her pregnancy, she has an 8 year old son from a previous relationship, both children will be under social services protection as a result of her drinking. Once the child is borne I would like to apply for full custody what are my chances any advise on how is much appreciated
Hi Steve1 and welcome 🙂
This must be a very worrying time for you. When is the baby due? When you say the children will be under SS protection, does that mean that there is no SS involvement at the moment?
If you havent already, I would start trying to engage with the SS. They may try and fob you off, but if you insist that your unborn child is at serious risk, then they have a duty to investigate.
Drinking during pregnancy can result in a child being born with a range of disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD),the most severe of which is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). I dont wish to scare you but it is better to be aware of what can happen, and it puts you in a better position to be listened to if/when you contact the SS about your ex's alcoholism and the very real and serious risks to your unborn child.
Start straightaway keeping a Diary of all events surrounding your ex's behaviour/drinking, keep all txts/emails and log all phone calls, in fact make a record of everything involving your ex and your unborn child. Make a note of all your attempts to speak to the authorities and when you make contact with them ask them to make a record of your contact with them. This will help when you got to court for custody (Residency).
Your accomodation will need to be up to scratch as there will be an assessment of this, and it might be helpful to consider attending a Parenting course in preparation
As far as custody is concerned, you would apply to the court for this with a form called the C100 Contact Order. If you are unemployed or on a low income then you would be entitled to Legal Aid. Would this apply to you? There are some Dads on here that apply to the court without any legal representation, this is doable and we would be able to support you through this, you will find lots of information on here about it.
Good luck with it all and please do keep us posted about how you're getting on 🙂
never tought i would say it but the news i got today is the best ever she has lost the baby
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