father needs advice

[dsizzle]

i have been trying to work things out with my ex.  it has been only a few months since our split and we have a son that turns 1 year old in may.  she is planning on moving out of state in june or july.  we have no legal custody agreement.  we have had very civil dealings to this point but when i explain that i do not want to lose my son for her to move thousands of miles away she does not budge.  my son is better off with her.  as far as living arrangements it would be a no brainer.  i am not using illegal drugs but have in the past.  i am currently unemployed.  i do not want to let my son just leave my life when he has no way of making the decision himself.  i want to fight to be there for him.  what is my best course of action here?  i do not want a uncivil dealing with my ex.  i still love her.  i still want us to be a family.  i dont know what to do.  please help...

[freeport]

dsizzle there is a faq page here with lots of answers for you.  i tried to share the link but i'm not allowed to post external links.  if you click on the home button i think you can find it there or maybe someone else who might be allowed to post links can post that link for you.  there's some articles there about the other parent moving to a different state and what you can do about that and also an article about free or low cost legal aid.  i would think you also want to ensure that you are shown as the legal father on the birth certificate to establish paternity. 

if you think you can successfully reconcile with your ex its worth a shot but unless she feels the same way its not likely to happen and you need to accept that the relationship with your ex is over but your relationship with your son is in its earliest stages and needs to be protected. 

since shes already told you shes planning on moving out of the state in a few months, you better get started on putting whatever you can into place before then.