I need some advice. I have a 6-month-old child that I’ve been taking care of by myself since birth. I cut ties with my ex during my second month of pregnancy after he told me to get an abortion. He lives in Washington, and I’m in Hawaii. Today, he served me court papers demanding a paternity test, claiming he wants full custody, and that I should pay child support while he gets only visitations. I’m planning to breastfeed for over a year, so I’m worried about being separated from my baby. I’m terrified of losing my child. What can happen to me and my baby?
Edit: Thank you to everyone responding! I feel a bit more at ease now. I’m planning to get an attorney as soon as I can. He filed electronically in Hawaii and isn’t on the birth certificate. He’s also made false claims that I raped him and abused him, which is completely untrue.
My parents are now suggesting I reach out to him to see if he just wants to have open visitations. They think his family might drop the case if I do that. They don’t want me to get an attorney and just want me to go through the paternity test for now. I’m really conflicted about this.