Hello, tattoogirl33. My suggestion for you is to see an attorney to find out what you might do to protect yourself in the event the father decides to take off with your child.

You have been with him on and off for ten years. Does your state recognize common law marriages? Has the father acknowledged paternity? Have custody and visitation rights been spelled out? How about child support? Who has been claiming the child as a deduction for tax purposes? Especially if you are serious about ending the relationship it is paramount to have these issues sorted now.

You might want to call you state's bar association to see if you can get a free consultation with a domestic relations attorney. You may also want to find out if you are entitled to representation by a pro bono or reduced rate attorney. Look in the yellow pages under Attorneys for the state bar association number.

It is not my intention to alarm you. Nonetheless, you definitely will benefit from being knowledgeable and prepared.