questions & answers

Question: My daughter is 2 months old. Her mother and I are not married. In the hospital filled out a form for paternity that We were told would get submitted so we could request a birth certificate for our daughter. We filed for the birth certificate and I'm listed as the father. Is that considered a legal document confirming I am the legal father? I'm asking because my girlfriend and I argue often and she's constantly threatening to leave with our baby. I want to protect myself as far has having custody rights. The first step I am being told to do Is to establish paternity. Is there something else bes

Answer:

If you signed an acknowledgment of paternity form and submitted it then you have established paternity and under A.R.S. §1-601 you have rights to your child. You may still need to go to court to establish parenting time and legal decision making authority if you and the mother are unable to agree on terms.