The mother of a child has sole custody based on the fact that she is a single mother to the child. We do not live together. I am not married...

Question

The mother of a child has sole custody based on the fact that she is a single mother to the child. We do not live together. I am not married. The mother of the child asking me for help in looking for child care facilities to have court order visitation. Can I use her request as a ground to gain 50-50 custody. The child just proved to be mine in June 2011 and the court order temporary visitation and support since I have never seen the child before. My wife and I would like to take care of this child and has nothing to do with the mother since we don't really know her.

Please advice of what right do we have.

Answer

I am assuming you are the biological father. If this is the case, you and your child have a right to a relationship. The first step is to file a paternity petition and a motion to establish a parenting plan.