Q: Can a 17-year-old's mother prevent him from seeing his child in Alabama?
In Alabama, my 17-year-old boyfriend's mother is trying to prevent him from being involved once his baby is born. What legal steps can he take to ensure his parental rights are protected after the baby is born? Is it possible for his mother to legally prevent him from seeing his child?
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A: In Alabama, your boyfriend has clear parental rights once the child is born, regardless of his age. His mother cannot legally deny him access to his child without a court order specifically restricting his parental rights. To protect his rights fully, he should formally establish paternity immediately after the baby's birth, either by signing an affidavit at the hospital or by filing a petition with the local family court.
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