Paternity leave and benefits when father takes full custody

[VanillaMango]

Hi
I am posting this on behalf of a family friend. He’s recently found out his ex is 28 weeks pregnant and plans to relinquish the baby for adoption which he has said no to and will take custody himself.

Is there an alternative to maternity pay but for fathers that isn’t the 2 weeks paternity leave? If he is only entitled to 2 weeks paternity leave he will likely have to quit work till baby is old enough to be in childcare. He will have full custody of the baby so is he entitled to maternity pay or the equivalent because of him having full custody?

Also based on his wage and rent costs (as he is having to move in to a 2 bed) he will be entitled to a UC top up whilst working.

His ex already has 3 children (not his) so if she was keeping the child, she couldn’t claim for this child due to the limit. However, will he receive the child element or because of her already getting it for her kids and being over the limit means he can’t get it even though it would be the only child on his claim (albeit not his)

Also if he is entitled to the maternity grant, can he claim this despite the fact she already claimed it for her first child in 2014?

Are you sure you have got all the facts straight there?

It does sound odd that he didn’t know anything about this child until a bank holiday (?) then within 2 days he has determined paternity and is working with social services to give up his job and raise a child he didn’t know he had.

He could still be in this position but the timeline doesn’t add up.

I misread the ACAS page on this and thought their might be a way of playing the system! If you have a child by surrogacy and you're not genetically related to them you're entitled to full (adoption) leave but not if you are which seems unfair as you still have a new born to look after but no birth to recover from.

That's very quick

This situation has potential to go very wrong; he can't just go forcibly removing a baby - there will be processed to follow, especially if she does not wish to name him on the birth certificate.

He needs decent legal advice.

There is just something very "off" about this.

There is just something very "off" about this

What? Like the whole thread is utter bolleaux? Clearly

He'd be better off adopting the baby and getting th adoption leave!

You can’t adopt a baby that’s biologically yours!

I also wouldn't assume she will go through with this plan
this.

aldo, putting both threads together it doesnt sound like op is getting the truth from this man.

OP, if your friend is so concerned, why isn't he here posting?

Because mumsnet isnt the best place to get legal advice.