If I’m pregnant and my boyfriend and I just broke up, what custody agreement can we make since we’re not married?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If I’m pregnant and my boyfriend and I just broke up, what custody agreement can we make since we’re not married?

I just broke up with my boyfriend and I am 3 months pregnant. I want to come up with a legal arrangement that we can both agree on but everything I found online is for married couples. Is there something we can do since we’re not married?

Asked on November 26, 2011 under Family Law, New Jersey

Answers:

MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

You don't have to be married to obtain a custody agreement. If you are three months pregnant, he should be helping with medical expenses and expenses to prepare for the arrival of the child, and then after the birth, the costs of child care if applicable, food, milk, diapers and toys. Further, he should be helping with taking care of the child and you need to decide if you wish to have full custody or share custody and what the visitation will look like. You cannot have a legally binding agreement without the court's approval because even if you come to a mutual agreement and both sign, you would not really be able to enforce it against him (and vice versa) unless the court has fully ordered this custody, visitation and support agreement.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption