Q: I have full custody of my daughter. Her dad wasn't involved the whole pregnancy up until 9 months old .
He has no rights to her. He's not on the birth certificate. I'm trying to have him be put on the birth certificate. He doesn't pay child support. If I ask for diapers or wipes he'll get it but that's all he does. I could use more help i take care of her full time not able to work currently , Parents even help out financially which I'm thankful for but will the state of Michigan make him pay child support if I tell him he does the bare minimum? I worry he'll try and get her full custody . He's told me before that if I made him pay he would try and get full custody of her.
A:
Don't fall for that threat. Parenting time, custody, and child support are all separate issues under the law for that very reason.
If the child receives state assistance (e.g. Medicaid, WIC, etc.), the state will seek and enforce a child support order regardless of what you say.
Otherwise, if you want support, you should seek it. It's going to start, though, with you establishing paternity for him. Otherwise, as things stand now, he has no rights to the child.
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