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Oh Baby: New Moms Face a Bundle of Legal Issues

By Aditi Mukherji, JD on May 10, 2013 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

With Mother's Day around the corner, we here at FindLaw would like to congratulate new moms on their new bundles of joy, and give them a special gift that should come in handy for the next 18 years: a few legal considerations.

We know, with everything else new moms have to deal with, legal issues regarding their newborns are probably the last thing on their minds. But it's always good to be prepared.

Here are five legal tips that may be helpful for all the new baby mamas out there:

  1. Legal issues at work. It's important for new moms to remember that they have certain legal rights at work. You might be eligible for FMLA leave and if you're a non-exempt employee, your employer generally needs to give you breastfeeding accommodations.

  2. Changing your will to add your new kid. If you welcome a new baby into your family, be sure to update your will and specify what gifts the little one will get. Depending on your situation, it may even be wise to get an experienced wills lawyer to revise (or draft) your will for you.

  3. Apppointing a guardian for your new kid. Arguably more important than divvying up assets, you may want to appoint a guardian in case anything happens to you. This is also something you may want to include in your revised will.

  4. Hiring a child care provider. Being away from your kids is tough enough -- you shouldn't have to worry about them being in safe hands. Look for a licensed and quailified child care provider who can give your kids a fun, safe and clean environment. Here's a link to a handy checklist to find a good child-care provider near you.

  5. Finding a new home. With a growing family, you might be looking for some new digs. Babies are expensive, but you might be surprised by what you can afford with a little bit of legal help. Take a look at our Real Estate section for tips on financing options, mortgages, down payments, and more. Also remember, sellers generally can't discriminate against you for having a child -- or six.

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