Representing Unmarried Parents in Arizona
All children in Arizona have a right to the care and support that both of their parents are able to provide to them. Whether or not a child's parents are or have ever been married, child custody and child support orders are available to enforce the child's and parents' rights.
I'm Kyle Scoresby, an experienced divorce and family law attorney. My staff and I at Scoresby Family Law in Scottsdale and Mesa help unmarried parents assert their rights in paternity cases. To learn more about paternity, child custody and child support in Arizona, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Understanding Why Paternity Cases Are Necessary
Although family law cases involving children born to unmarried couples are typically called paternity cases, determining the actual paternity of the child is usually just a formality. In most cases, the mother knows who the father is, and the father acknowledges paternity.
If a man served with paternity papers does not acknowledge paternity, he can request DNA testing to confirm or deny that he is the father.
In Arizona, when a child is born to a married couple, the father automatically has certain legal rights from the time of birth. When a child is born out of wedlock, however, the father has no rights until paternity is established.
Establishing Child Custody and Support Responsibilities
Typically, paternity suits are brought either by a mother seeking child support or a father seeking parenting time. Once paternity is established either through mutual acknowledgement or through a DNA test, these cases proceed under the same laws that apply in other child custody cases.
Often, these cases are brought when the parents of a child have been living together or informally working out child custody and support arrangements. When a relationship ends or the parents can no longer agree, it may be necessary to get lawyers and the courts involved.
I handle these cases with the same sensitivity I show in every family law case, paying attention to the impact that parental conflict can have on children. Don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your legal goals and options for pursuing them.
