FATHER'S RIGHTS
As your child’s father, you have rights and responsibilities under Arizona law. A common misconception is that Arizona is a "Mother's" or a "Father's" state. It is neither. Arizona Courts are prohibited from utilizing gender to determine legal decision-making and parenting time rights. Married fathers in Arizona have joint legal decision-making and equal rights to parenting time at the beginning of a divorce and unless/until the Court orders otherwise. Unmarried fathers in Arizona (where no prior Court orders have been entered) need to establish legal decision-making and parenting time for their children.
Establishing Paternity
If your identity as the child’s father has not already been established, e.g. via birth certificate or court order, and you are not married to your child's mother, establishing paternity will be the first step to exercising your rights. The easiest way to establish paternity is with a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form, which requires signatures from both parents. A paternity case can be initiated by the mother, prospective father, or the child’s guardian. Paternity is presumed when a couple is married and filing for divorce or legal separation. If the parties are unmarried, paternity will need to be established by showing a copy of the birth certificate or by other means. The Court may order genetic testing to determine paternity at the beginning of the case if either party denies paternity.
How I Can Help
I love helping fathers establish rights to their children. Your child's mother's rights are not superior to yours by virtue of gender.
If you are a father interested in exercising rights to your child, please click the button below or contact my office today.
The Law Office of Kristen Kaffer, PLLC
