questions & answers

Question: I need to establish parental rights. My baby momma is threating to take off wit my son and I have bn the one takin him to appointments,daycare,and I'm a full time student we aren't married but we live together and he has my last name jus don't have birth certificate.Please I need help don't wanna lose my son.

Answer: If a couple is not married, Arizona law presumes that the mother has full custody of a child. In order for the father to obtain custody of the child that can be enforced by the court, paternity must be established. (A.R.S.§ 25-812) After paternity has been established, a legally binding parenting time and legal decisions-making agreement (formerly called custody) can be created. Please visit your local Superior Court Self Service Center for the forms to establish paternity. If you are located in Maricopa County a link is provided below for access to all the forms that must be completed and filed with the court to establish paternity. Additionally, the link provides a flyer for a free workshop held at the court the third Friday of every month to help explain how to navigate the process without a lawyer. For the related forms and flyers, visit: http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/Forms/FamilyCourt/fc_drp1.asp If you are outside of Maricopa County please use the link to the court locator page to find your local superior court self service center to download forms https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Courts/AZ-Courts-Locator or visit DES for more information: https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=24&id=3777