my sons father spent alot of time bouncing in and out of prison systems before his death. I basically went to the cleks office and filed for custody. he knew with his prison background he would not be granted custody so he went with me and signed the papers. The clerks office submitted the paperwork and we recieved the custody papers in the mail. Then because I was on public assistance my caseworker petitioned the court for child support. (I could have done this on my own by going to the clerks office and filing the papers myself but since public assistance was involved I went that route). My son and I were given court appointed lawyers. For a few of the court hearings the father did not show up so finally the judge issued a warrent for police escourt to the next hearing. My sons father showed up drunk and the hearing was short and sweet. The judge asked if my son was his and after he said yes we both had to submit proof of income and bills and then we left. a month later I recieved notice in the mail as to the amount of child support and a child support hotline to call each month to varify if he paid or not. if not the court was order to garnish wages.