Custody Battle With Infant Child, in Texas

I was never married to the father of my baby nor lived with him. My baby was born in the state of Ohio where I had resided for a few years. I moved shortly after to Texas to be with my family. Texas is where I was born and raised. I have the ability to better the life of our baby by going back to college to finish an education degree and reside in my parent’s house rent free until I finish this degree.

I was mislead by atty's when I first arrived back to Texas. I was told I couldn't file anything until I was a resident and that would take 6 months. While I was waiting, the father filed papers with Ohio courts. He wants sole custody of our child. He has made it clear money is not an issue for him and he will fight "tooth and nail".

I have not denied him time to visit with our baby but only in Texas. I have even offered for him to stay in my home. With receiving no child support, I have retained a job until school starts back up this is one of the only reasons I have not returned to Ohio to visit. I plan on visiting on my school breaks as well until something is worked out through us or through the courts.

He has not sent anything for our baby to date either. The grandparents (his parents) have come to visit in the meantime but he has yet to make an appearance. He states spending X amount of dollars for on X amount of days with our baby is not practical. The father wants the infant baby to be flow up there by one parent, dropped off for weeks at a time then flown back home with one parent. I do not think this should be done until the baby is a toddler. I do not have an issue with that after our child is aware of where they are going and where they are coming back to.

I also make a lot less than he does and he tends to manage his money better than I. I hope that is not a deciding factor in court. How much of a chance does he have taking our child away from me?