Will these affect the child visitation rights in court?

My childs father was a horrible father when we were together. now out of spite he wants to see our daughter im not even sure if she would remember him. do this things matter when we go to court?

-house is filthy as in trash everywhere,too many animals that dont get cared for,horrible smell, mold growing in sink on dishes
-smokes marijuana everyday
-no job
-doesnt pay child support
-bi polar and refuses to take meds
-has been to psychward multiple times
-was very abusive to me
-his mother is on mental pills for depression and has back problems that limit her to helping him with my child



do any of these matter? i just dont trust him with our daughter. there are plenty of times he abused me while i was holding our daughter and i just feel like if he was to get upset with her and whatnot that he might hurt her as well.

also does anyone know what i can do about supervision if i have to let him see her? like is there a way i can get professional supervision?

we are going to court over a protection order and to be honest im not even sure if this will come up or not

Those things will factor in GREATLY when it comes to his visitation. Check with your local attorneys and see if your state has something called a "guardian ad litem" which is an attorney appointed to look out of the child's best interest. They don't represent the child, persay, but they do investigate the homes and parents to determine what would be the safest thing for the child.

I highly suggest seeking counsel in this simply so they can present it to the judge in the correct way, rather than you going in alone and sounding like you're accusing him left and right of everything (which, by the way, you should bring it all up but a lawyer can do it in an argument...).

But to answer your question, yes...those things matter a GREAT deal. Do not hesitate to bring up ANYTHING that gives you pause.

You are right to put your child's safety first. Any and all of these things may matter in court, but you have to know how to present evidence and provide proof.

Surely, if you are going to court over custody, you have consulted an attorney. This is far too important to try to do it yourself. If you do not have an attorney, use the lawyer referral service of your state bar association.

this sounds like my ex husband ... did drugs, didnt work, had been to drug rehab numerous times...house dirty, would take my daughter with him to buy drugs...he was granted visitation and i had to fight hard to get it stopped..the courts were more interested in just allowing him to see his daughter..even tho she really didnt know him...my ex threatened to kill me and went as far as hitting me when i was holding my daughter, so it can go either way....i would definetly bring all this to the courts attention and of course, dont give up..we have to do whatever it takes to keep our kids safe