You don't want to do anything until paternity is proven. You would want to first request that as 30% of them come out negative. see links
In order to petition for custody or visitation right by the court you have to establish paternity by a DNA test. Then you can obtain a visitation schedule and also start paying child support.
Visitation is not based on any particular age.
The visitation schedule for the non-custodian parent who does not know the child should start out slow. You may want to stay when the child is with the parent he or she does not know.
Laws vary in different jurisdictions. Generally, an unmarried father who signed an affidavit of paternity has established his paternity and can file a custody case. If you were never married to the other parent of your child, and never signed an affidavit of paternity then you must establish paternity legally (by a DNA test) before you can start a custody case.
There are paternity DNA tests available for a child and father, assuming the child is born, which can be taken confidentially at home. Prices start at $89 and a "legal" version (one which will hold up in court) is available for $325.
Yes, you have to bring the father to court for a paternity test, if he has not signed a recognition of parentage. They will not start a case on child support unless parternity has been established. If he will not willingly go to court the state through social services will mandate him to appear.
The biological father can petition the court to have a paternity test to prove paternity. Once paternity is proven, the father can petition the court for visitation or custody. In most cases, the father would have to prove the mother unfit in order to receive full custody. The father is likely to get visitation unless the mother can prove a reason why he is an unfit father or there is a valid reason for the court to deny visitation.In the case of a married or separated man getting a girl pregnant, he isn't likely to petition the court to do anything. First, he probably won't want to pay child support if he is being a dead beat dad from the start. Second, he won't want to own up to his infidelity.The most important thing is to seek legal counsel if the father does petition the court for visitation or custody.
P.S. OR DOES CHILD SUPPORT START FROM THE DAY PATERNITY IS PROVEN????
Well, you need to find the residency of the child to know in what jurisdiction to file. In the meantime, do the child support guideline to see how much you should be paying in your state and start putting it away in a Trust Fund inthe name of the child. see link
I suggest that you contact your State's child support agency. When you get an interview with them, bring all the papers relating to your child support: birth certificates, acknowledgments of paternity, court orders, payment records, etc. Be polite but persistent. Good luck!
Reserach the laws for your state And keep in mind you just found out about your son. he does not know you so to fight for custody just because he is your son will be difficult unless the mother is unfit to have custody. take her to court for child support meaning so you can pay child support, and take her to court for visitation rights, most states have child support and visitation separate. take it slow because you don't know the child and it may be shocking and confusing for him too he has been living this life with out you and may know someone else as his father, he has to get to know you so take it slow you don't want to cause too much confusion for him either, and start with taking a paternity test! do not sleep that, TAKE THE TEST! then go from there.
Not if the mother still have custody. He better have a good explanation to tell the judge why he has not seen his child for a year. If he has a good reason they would probably start with visitation. Full custody he can not get unless the mother is unfit.