Tempe Paternity Attorney
Establishing Paternity in Phoenix, AZ
A marriage certificate or lack thereof does not matter in care and custody
of children. Parents who were never married have the same rights and responsibilities
regarding custody, parenting time and child support. However, the dynamics
of the situation can be very different from a
divorce. You need a law firm that is well-versed in paternity and related matters
of Arizona family law.
At
Arizona Family Law Attorneys, we regularly represent fathers and mothers in establishing paternity
and sorting out the aftermath. Our skilled Phoenix & Tempe paternity
lawyers can assert or challenge custody rights regarding a child born
out of wedlock and protect your interests regarding financial support
of the child.
Have questions about your paternity matter? Schedule an
initial case evaluation
by calling us at (480) 418-0840!
What is Paternity and Why Establish It?
Paternity refers to biological fatherhood. If there is any question about
whether a man is the father, genetic testing can quickly and definitively
settle the matter. If necessary, we can get a court-ordered DNA test to
establish paternity.
Our experienced Phoenix family law attorneys can help you address:
Child support — Child support accrues from birth, not from the date that paternity
is established. We make sure that child support is correctly calculated
and we can represent either party in addressing child support arrears.
Child support is based on incomes and the amount of parenting time —
in some paternity cases the mother must pay child support to the father.
Fathers' rights — A father who was not married to the mother has absolutely no parental
rights until paternity is established. It is advisable for fathers to
obtain a court order to make things official even if they are currently
on amicable terms with the mother.
Mothers' rights — A mother cannot deny visitation simply because she has broken
up with the father. However, if he has not been involved in the child's
life or represents a legitimate threat to the child's safety or well-being,
we can argue in court to deny or restrict his contact with the child.
A father who wants to be involved in his son's or daughter's life
can petition for custody and parenting time, such as joint legal and physical
custody of his child born out of wedlock. We can represent either parent
in negotiating a parenting plan that is workable and protects the best
interests of the child. A father who has not been involved with his child
from the beginning may have to first establish visitation and gradually
earn a greater custody role.
Protect Your Parental Rights! Speak with a Tempe Family Lawyer.
Our firm knows that families come in all shapes and sizes and that unmarried
parents need quality legal counsel as much as divorcing parents. We offer
compassionate support, practical advice, and strong legal advocacy without
judgment. We make every effort to resolve these difficult issues without
litigation, but our
Phoenix family law attorneys are fully prepared to fight for you in court to protect your parental
rights and your child.
For the diligent guidance you need for your paternity case,
contact us
as soon as possible.