in missouri when a child is born to a couple living together but not married who has custody of the child?
113182
usually its both till one of you go and get custody. but in the meantime if one or the other leaves and takes the child with him/her nothing can be done if no custody is awarded because legally that person has the right. possession being 9/10 of the law
1056089
From everything you have said it is only quite obvious that he doesn't have the stability for custody, however the court will probably give him some sort of visitation because he is the father and wants to see his children. The mother could have stipulations put on this such as court ordered drug testing and supervised visits to make sure that he is staying clean, and considering his past with drugs, the court would be likely do this. You didn't mention if your friend had an attorney. It would probably be a good idea to seek an attorney's advice on this.
219282
Try this:\n\nhttp://family.findlaw.com/child-custody/\n\nYou need to enter a ZIP code to find information on this website.
195629
It does not matter if the two of you were never married, if the kiddos are his then he will have rights. You need to file the appropriate paperwork and if the two of you are not able to agree on the kids, it will most likely go to mediation. This does not mean that you wont be able to move but he would be able to have the kids a few weeks out of the year or something like that. Try calling legal aid where you live and they will be able to help you out.  Good luck
1014883
I live in Columbus, OH.  I would think if the father can prove that the mother is not doing a good job, the courts will grant full custody to the father.  The burden of proof rests with the father, though.  Good Luck!
767576
Having custody means the children reside with someone else, that person is responsible in making all the decisions for the children and do not need to consult with the parents, even though the parents may still have their parental rights.  HOWEVER, if those children are left in the custody of whoever it is for a lengthy period of time, a judge may use his/her own discretion in allowing the parental rights to be taken away and the children be allowed to be adopted by the custodial parents.  \n\nEvery situation is different honey and if these are your children we are talking about, make the changes the courts are requiring you to make.  When you think you've done enough, do some more.  These are your children and you need to do right by them...before it's too late...because you can lose your parental rights in a situation like this VERY easily.  I've seen it happen alot.
181835
Depends on whether or not the parents are brother and sister.\n\n(I'm from TX.)
1180479
I'm a former police officer turned attorney in Indiana. I don't know if this will help or not.\n\nWere the two of you ever married? If yes, then he may have an equal right to the child. It all depends on the law in Tennessee. \n\nWhy are the papers not drawn up yet? What did they state? You should've had at least a basic knowledge of what they were suppossed to say. Were they done locally? If so, go to the court that is working on them, and see if you can get a copy directly from them. \n\nAs a police office we never got involved in custody disputes. It was not our job to resolve civil disputes. Most people never realize this, but police usually have no power over civil law matters; only criminal. I would contact your local law enforcement and ask to speak to an officer. Ask what their policy is regarding these type of disputes. We usually left the child with whoever had custody at that time as we had no power to determine custody. \n\nI wish you the best of luck.
992128
Actually he has a partner and a daughter.\nThey are not legally married though.
557094
Here is the Nevada law on that:\nNRS 62C.010  Grounds for taking child into custody; notification of parent or guardian of child and probation officer; release or further detention of child.  Except as otherwise provided in this title and NRS 484.383:\n\n      1.  A peace officer or probation officer may take into custody any child:\n\n      (a) Who the officer has probable cause to believe is violating or has violated any state or local law, ordinance, or rule or regulation having the force of law; or\n\n      (b) Whose conduct indicates that the child is in need of supervision.\n\n      2.  If a child is taken into custody:\n\n      (a) The officer shall, without undue delay, attempt to notify, if known, the parent or guardian of the child;\n\n      (b) The facility in which the child is detained shall, without undue delay:\n\n             (1) Notify a probation officer; and\n\n             (2) Attempt to notify, if known, the parent or guardian of the child if such notification was not accomplished pursuant to paragraph (a); and\n\n      (c) Unless it is impracticable or inadvisable or has been otherwise ordered by the juvenile court, the child must be released to the custody of a parent or guardian or another responsible adult who has signed a written agreement to bring the child before the juvenile court at a time stated in the agreement or as the juvenile court may direct. The written agreement must be submitted to the juvenile court as soon as possible. If the person fails to produce the child at the time stated in the agreement or upon a summons from the juvenile court, a writ may be issued for the attachment of the person or of the child requiring that the person or child, or both, be brought before the juvenile court at a time stated in the writ.\n\n      3.  If a child who is taken into custody is not released pursuant to subsection 2:\n\n      (a) The child must be taken without unnecessary delay to:\n\n             (1) The juvenile court; or\n\n             (2) The place of detention designated by the juvenile court and, as soon as possible thereafter, the fact of detention must be reported to the juvenile court; and\n\n      (b) Pending further disposition of the case, the juvenile court may order that the child be:\n\n             (1) Released to the custody of a parent or guardian or another person appointed by the juvenile court;\n\n             (2) Detained in a place designated by the juvenile court, subject to further order of the juvenile court; or\n\n             (3) Conditionally released for supervised detention at the home of the child in lieu of detention at a facility for the detention of children. The supervised detention at the home of the child may include electronic surveillance of the child.\n\n      4.  In determining whether to release a child pursuant to this section to a person other than a parent or guardian, the juvenile court shall give preference to any person who is related to the child within the third degree of consanguinity if the juvenile court finds that the person is suitable and able to provide proper care and guidance for the child.\n\n      (Added to NRS by 2003, 1054)
1136888
It will never automatically be considered abondonment without you petitioning the court to terminate the other parent's parental rights.  You should contact a Virginia attorney about this.  As with every state, the paramount concern is the 'best interests of the child'  \n\nStatute: §16.2-283(A), (B)-(E), (G)\n\nGrounds:  Abandonment or extreme parental disinterest, abuse/neglect, mental illness or deficiency, alcohol or drug induced incapacity, felony conviction/incarceration, failure of reasonable efforts, sexual abuse, abuse/neglect or loss of rights of another child, failure to maintain contact, failure to provide support, child judged in need of services/dependent, child’s best interest, child in care 15 of 22 months (or less), felony assault of child or sibling, murder/manslaughter of sibling child, voluntary relinquishment, identity or location of parent unknown, aggravated circumstances.
86935
You should talk to a family law lawyer.  They might be able to give you some free advice.  \n\nI think you could go through classes to be foster parents, though, and that would help your case.\n\nIf non-biological dad ever adopted, there is no problem.\nIf not, it will also probably be considered how long he has been in the child's life.  \n\nThe courts do TRY to do what's best for the child.
797924
Your question is very vague.....there are many laws concerning child custody.  AZ is a community property state but that doesn't automatically mean that both parents are going to have equal joint custody.
171556
cops cannot legally take custody of a child from one biological parent and give it to another.  UNLESS the children are in danger.  \n\nHe needs to get a court date and fight for custody of those kids.  Also, those cops can get in trouble for taking the kids.  \n\nIf the house was his, the wife had no right or business having a key or allowing anyone else in the house without his permission.  \n\nHe needs to get a lawyer and do it soon!
700124
Missouri\nupdated 4/24/06\n\n\nContact Person: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records and\nIdentification Division, Offender Registration. Phone: 573-526-6347 \nOffenders Required to Register: 589.400. 1. Sections 589.400 to 589.425 shall apply to:\n\n(1) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been or is hereafter convicted of, been found guilty of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing, or attempting to commit, a felony offense of chapter 566, RSMo, or any offense of chapter 566, RSMo, where the victim is a minor; or\n\n(2) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been or is hereafter convicted of, been found guilty of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to committing, or attempting to commit one or more of the following offenses: kidnapping, pursuant to section 565.110, RSMo; felonious restraint; promoting prostitution in the first degree; promoting prostitution in the second degree; promoting prostitution in the third degree; sexual exploitation of a minor; promoting child pornography in the first degree; promoting child pornography in the second degree; possession of child pornography; furnishing pornographic material to minors; public display of explicit sexual material; coercing acceptance of obscene material; promoting obscenity in the first degree; promoting pornography for minors or obscenity in the second degree; incest; abuse of a child, pursuant to section 568.060, RSMo; use of a child in a sexual performance; or promoting sexual performance by a child; and committed or attempted to commit the offense against a victim who is a minor, defined for the purposes of sections 589.400 to 589.425 as a person under eighteen years of age; or\n\n(3) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been committed to the department of mental health as a criminal sexual psychopath; or\n\n(4) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been found not guilty as a result of mental disease or defect of any offense listed in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection; or\n\n(5) Any person who is a resident of this state who has, since July 1, 1979, or is hereafter convicted of, been found guilty of, or pled guilty to or nolo contendere in any other state, foreign country, or under federal or military jurisdiction to committing, or attempting to commit, an offense which, if committed in this state, would be a violation of chapter 566, RSMo, or a felony violation of any offense listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection or has been or is required to register in another state or has been or is required to register under federal or military law; or\n\n(6) Any person who has been or is required to register in another state or has been or is required to register under federal or military law and who works or attends school or training on a full-time or on a part-time basis in Missouri. "Part-time" in this subdivision means for more than fourteen days in any twelve-month period.\n\n2. Any person to whom sections 589.400 to 589.425 apply shall, within ten days of conviction, release from incarceration, or placement upon probation, register with the chief law enforcement official of the county in which such person resides unless such person has already registered in that county for the same offense. Any person to whom sections 589.400 to 589.425 apply if not currently registered in their county of residence shall register with the chief law enforcement official of such county within ten days of August 28, 2003. The chief law enforcement official shall forward a copy of the registration form required by section 589.407 to a city, town, village, or campus law enforcement agency located within the county of the chief law enforcement official, if so requested. Such request may ask the chief law enforcement official to forward copies of all registration forms filed with such official. The chief law enforcement official may forward a copy of such registration form to any city, town, village, or campus law enforcement agency, if so r
598516
I believe the laws vary in different states.  I do recall reading about a 'would be" dad who fought the abortion his girlfriend was going to have and recall reading about another case where the "would be dad" fought the adoption the mother had planned immediately after birth.  In this case, the father won.  He had not been informed about the pregnancy at all.
148188
I don't know every state law but, I know that in most states, if the mother/father can prove that she has a home, stable income , and is competent enough to care for the child. She will be the first choice. If she isn't, family will be the next choice. You can pick a legal guardian but, any choice can be challanged in court.