I have read some of the older posts regarding your situation. Coming from some complicated situations myself, I know exactly what you are talking about when you say it is hard to explain every little thing without writing a book. However, I also read in an earlier post of yours where you said that you already love this baby so much. That right there, is what is truly, truly important. Yes, love in and of itself is not going to do the whole job, but once you have that love for your child in your heart, you follow it, and you make your decisions based upon that love that is only shared between a mother and her child and YOU WILL DO FINE. To answer your question, in most states, a father is not finiancially obligated(unless married to the baby's mother, via "spousal support"-until divorce is final)until the time of the baby's birth. But, you have found a better job, congratulations, things are already looking up for you. Yes, take him to domestic relations the second you are able to. You have the rest of your life to pursuit degrees, possessions, tenure and money, but you only have one shot at any one given day with your child. As long as you are able to provide the necessities, love will provide the luxury-believe me, there are terrible and wonderful mothers in all income brackets. Please do not listen to any of the people whom tell you to put your baby up for adoption! If we all looked at "just giving babies away" everytime it got tough, I guarantee that nobody out there would have a child. Anyone who tells you to do that is not only ignorant and cruel, but probably seriously lacks the strength of character and emotional maturity it takes to raise a child-let alone give anybody else advice on how to do so! You are doing the right thing, and while it can and will, at some point, get tough having to hold your own hand, there are children that are raised by single mothers that grow up to do wonderful things! Set your goals and get busy, keep negative people as far away from you as possible, and again, decide your path in life with that love for your baby as the driving force, and all will turn out well.