Can I deny my child's mother visitation?
Question Details: I have a son; 6 months after his birth his mother left. I have raised my son alone for 5 1/2 years she lives out of state and now what's to see him. He has a stable life now with a little brother and a step mom.I want to know what rights I have about her seeing him. There isn't any court orders or marriage.
I can only answer your question as pertains to the laws in the State of Georgia. In the State of Georgia, if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother automatically has sole legal and physical custody of the minor child until such time as the father legitimates the child in the Superior Court. Only after the father's petition for legitimation is granted does the father have any legal rights. Based on your statement, you and the mother were never married, and you never legtimated the child. Accordingly, until you take the appropriate steps to gain legal/custodial rights, the mother can exercise her rights to remove the child if she so desires. Retain the services of an attorney right away.
