JUST BRENDA: My baby daddy does not support our child

Hi Brenda,

I was in an abusive marriage for some years and had a one-night stand. I got pregnant so I had to move out of my marital home.

I later lost my job and I have been making do with what I get.

My baby daddy did not deny he sired my child but he has not been supporting me financially and he ignores me. I am really struggling to make ends meet and I need child support.

This is quite a quandary. I am glad you moved out of your marital home, as no one should not stay in an abusive marriage. Kudos to you on that.
But now you need a bigger plan than leaving and having a one-night stand. I need more information here.
If the second man is not refusing his child, why is he not giving child support? Perhaps this is the point at which you engage a lawyer to demand child support – after all, you do not have to be married to get the law on your side.
And yes, if you don't have money for a lawyer, sue with damages – where if you win, which you will, because it is his child after all, then he's paying for your lawyer as well. Sounds complicated? Not nearly as complicated as raising a child with no job.
If you have family, you need to appeal to them as well for help as you figure your life out. Get a job. Any job. You don't have the luxury right now to be picky.

If all else fails, figure out where your child's grandmother lives as a last resort and report the man-child to his mother.

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