questions & answers

Question: I am a father i recently seperated from my kids mom i have been there since day one but she refuses to let me see them she has had a drug problem for many years now do to her drug abuse she has a medical condition that she sometimes cant even get up from bed i need legal help to get custody of my kids or to get visitation rights to make sure my kids are being taken care of

Answer: I am assuming from your question that the mother acknowledges that you are the father of her children.  If she doesn't admit you are the father, you will be required to file a paternity action pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute, section 25-803.  If you are the acknowledged father and the two of you cannot come to an agreement on visitation or custody, then you will need to file a custody action in Superior Court pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute, section 25-403.  The website for the Maricopa County Superior Court has a self-help center with forms you can download.   www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov.  is the website for the Maricopa County Superior Court.  You may also want to consider contacting the lawyer referral service at (602) 257-4434.  For a $40.00 fee, this service will arrange an appointment with a lawyer familiar with custody issues.  The fee provides you with a half hour consultation with the lawyer, who can advise you of the best way to move forward.