Paternity

A Paternity Action is a legal matter to determine the parentage of a child, as well as to establish child support, legal decision-making, and parenting time. An unmarried parent has the same right to request legal decision making (custody), parenting time (visitation) and child support as a married individual.

In Arizona, there is a presumption that a child born to a married couple is the legal child of both parents.

For unmarried parents, this presumption can occur if a father is named on the birth certificate, has signed an acknowledgment of paternity, or is determined through genetic testing. Once paternity has been established, the court will address each parent’s rights and responsibilities to the child. The legal decision-making order will determine how important decisions are made for the child-related to non-emergency medical, educational, religion and personal care. The factors to be considered are the same regardless of whether the parties are married.

Payment Plans for Paternity Matters in Arizona

The Court will also order child support utilizing the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. In paternity matters, the Court is permitted to order child support retroactively up to three (3) years if the parents have not been residing together. A payment plan will often be established for retroactive support rather than a requirement to pay a large lump sum.