Objectives
This study examines the financial and childcare support provided to mothers from paternal kin, as well as whether this support varies based on relationship characteristics of the mother and father, child support provided by the father, and father–child contact.

Background
Despite the documented importance of familial support for many mothers of young children, especially single mothers, minimal quantitative research has examined the factors that pattern transfers of support from fathers' family members.

Methods
Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 4,296), we employ multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine mothers' receipt of financial and childcare support from paternal kin.

Results
Results indicate that mothers who report having no relationship with their child's father have a lower probability of receiving support from his family. Mothers with nonresidential fathers are more likely to receive support from the father's kin when the father provides informal or sporadic child support.

Conclusion
Fathers occupy a brokering role between mothers and their kin. When a relationship with the father is completely absent, support from his family decreases.

Implications
The findings offer insight into the social capital and economic stability of mothers, particularly those with nonresidential fathers.