Child Custody in Tennessee for Unwed Mothers

[WorkingMom73]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of Tennessee.
I am an unwed mother with a two year old daughter in TN. Under TN law, do unwed mother's have sole legal custody? I have seen and heard conflicting information on the subject. Would you please provide the layman version of the answer to this question and also guide me to specifics in TN code covering this matter?

Thank you!

[aardvarc]

Until the father has an order from a court granting any level of custody or visitation, he has none.

[WorkingMom73]

Thank you for replying aardvarc. I browsed the aardvarc website and found a lot of good information on domestic violence. I'm also dealing with this issue with my two year old's father.

I wonder why my lawyer would lead me to file a petition for custody if I already have custody?

[llworking]

Thank you for replying aardvarc. I browsed the aardvarc website and found a lot of good information on domestic violence. I'm also dealing with this issue with my two year old's father.

I wonder why my lawyer would lead me to file a petition for custody if I already have custody?

Because while you do have sole custody on a defacto basis, its not really enforceable without a court order. Court orders are enforceable and put you in a stronger position.

[aardvarc]

Making custody formal would also bring the issue of child support to the table on behalf of the child.