What chances do I have to gain sole physical and legal custody of my child?

Long story short. I was sweet talked, charmed and lied to from ex and got pregnant because I was young, dumb and stupid. I thought he was a nice guy and I later found out the truth. He is not on my childs birth certificate. I filed for child support and paternity when child was 1 & 6 years old with 2 different states. they couldn't find him so they shut the case. My child is 14 years old but the 3rd attempt finally worked last Sept.& he was served. Ex only saw my child the 1st time when my child was 3 days old & the last time he saw child was 7 days old. Reason is because I began to find out the truth about this guy instead of believing the lies & felt it was not in the best interest of my child to be around this person. Question is after the courts establish paternity whats the chances of me gaining sole legal and physical custody of my child. I am asking because ex is mad that he was found and even though he never attempted to establish paternity in 14 years is trying old scare tactics & saying he will gain full custody & clean my wallet for support money if I don't stop the court case now & quit persueing it legally. I will be filing a motion for contempt tommorrow hoping a bench warrent will issued for failure to appear to our 1st court hearing on this. then I will file for custody based on the facts that I have proof that he has been on probation for 19 years. He also left the state without permission 4 years ago which again is a violation. He has been arrested 5 x's in one state, 15 x's in another. Has 7 previose evictions and is currently being evicted right now in state he is in from rental property. all arrests are for reasons like, burglury, drug possion, vop, assault, driving while license suspended with knowledge, worthless check & other reasons. Ex was baker acted for suicide attempt. I will try to get court to supena his medical records as he is dignosed as bi-polar, skitzophrenic, multiple personalities & manic depression & he doesn't take meds for it even though they were prescribed because he can't afford them. He has 5 active warrents for my current city and state that case is happening & one is for a 3ed degree felony. He hasn't worked on the books in about 15 years he owes about $10,000.oo in liens inwhich different states applied because of failure to pay for one legal reason or another. Ex has threatened to violently kill my child and myself if we ever left him which is why I was afraid him for a long time after separation. I still not to happy after all this time as my hands are shaking as I write this. Ex refuses to work and just recently started threats again because he's mad. My child has never lacked anything. I own my own home, vehicle & business. I have been married for 7 years and his step dad is awesome. I know alot of people say I'm wrong for pursueing support but in my opinion why damn the ones who did right. My ex is wrong on so many levels. I am not on any food stamps or anything. My child doesn't want anything to do with him because of extensive rap sheet & for fear that he will be kidnapped or physically hurt because I have told him about him. Trash talk is one thing- that I didn't do. tell him the truth & show him the truth I did as my child does have a right to know. Point is it is legally correct to file for support & my right to recieve it. How ever until me ex straightens up I want my child to be safe and happy in my care. What's the chances I will get what I want? I live and court is in Florida. thanks!

You are within your legal rights to file for support. however, if you establish paternity, he will then have legal rights as the father, including visitation. (And his relationship with you and past criminal records have nothing to do with that.)

Either you have the child (as a single mother) all to yourself, or you share the responsibility, and the rights, with her father. There is zero chance you can make him take responsibility and keep him from exercising his rights. it doesn't work that way.

What chances do I have to gain sole physical and legal custody of my child?

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