Q: Single mom what if something happens to me
I'm a single mom in ohio. My childs father and I were never married and he is not on the birth certificate. I am working on getting child support from him. If some how I become disable or die who will get custody/guardianship of my child. Her father is not stable and I don't want him to. My family is involved in her life and I want one of them to.
A: Your will can nominate someone to be your child's guardian. But a court does not have to follow that, and the court will make the decision on who gets custody. The biological father and other family members could seek custody. The court would then determine what is in the child's best interest and who should have custody. Use the Find a Lawyer tab and consult an attorney to prepare a simple will to nominate a guardian. The more ties your child establishes with your family members, and the fewer ties with the father, the more likely the court would be to grant custody to one of your family. But a biological father can make a strong case for custody.
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