A mother’s child custody rights in California are automatic, and the same is true in every other state. That’s because mothers immediately receive legal custody of their children without being required to go through the court process. This means unwed mothers have the following rights:
They can determine where their children will live.
They can select pediatricians for the children.
They can take their children to doctors or hospitals.
They can determine who will watch their children.
They can enroll their children in school or daycare.
They can receive public financial benefits for their children.