questions & answers

Question: My boyfriend and I have been living together almost a year. We have had his 14 year old son at least every other weekend of the last 5 months and he moved in with us full time a month ago. While my boyfriend is taking the steps to obtain sole custody, what paperwork do we need or what steps do we need to take so I can be legally responsible for his son when he travels for work or is unreachable? We are not married or engaged, but I have the more flexible schedule and spend more time with the son (not that it really matters, I guess).

Answer: Your best bet is to go to an attorney who can help you craft a power of attorney that meets your specific needs.  \There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  If you are financially qualified for the program, for a $75 fee, Modest Means  will offer a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  If you need additional help and the attorney agrees to take your case, the fee charged will not exceed $75 per hour.  The telephone number is (866)637-5341.  Both the Maricopa and Pima County Bar Associations have lawyer referral programs that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consult for a fee of $40.  The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.   If you are just looking for a power of attorney that allows you to provide medical care for the child while your boyfriend is away, you can go to one of the online legal forms services and download a form that when signed and notarized will allow you to make medical decisions for the child in his absence.