Under Alabama law, a court may consider an award of joint custody, whereby the parental rights of both parties remain intact, with one parent as the primary custodian of the children and the other as the secondary custodian. (family.findlaw.com)
The legal custodian of a child has the right to make important decisions regarding education, medical care, and religion. (divorcefirm.net)
Once your girlfriend has your baby, she is the full custodian of the child until you legally establish you're the father. (info.legalzoom.com)