Child Custody

questions & answers

Question: I have a son who his father and I aren't married but the father is on the birth certificate. His father just got out of prison and threatens me with leaving the state with my son. How do I get soul custody of my son?

Answer:

Assuming you are living in Arizona, the following links are to forms and instructions regarding establishing custody.  If a court has never issued a paternity order (i.e. requiring father to pay support, etc.) then you will need to first establish custody through a paternity action.  If paternity has been established (but no custody orders were designated) then you need to "establish custody."  The links are by Arizona county.  If you do not see your county listed below, or if you see your county but some forms are not listed, it is recommended that you contact your local superior court as to its specific requirements/procedures.  In such a case, you may still want to review the forms/instructions below.  You may find them to be substantially similar to your county's process; and/or they may help provide you with a general idea of the procedure.

Maricopa County:

Paternity Action: (Instructions and Forms)

Establishing Custody (Paternity Order Exists) (Instructions and Forms)

Pima County:

Paternity - (General Information - establishing child custody orders for unmarried parties)

Complaint for Paternity - (Instructions and Forms)

Paternity - Service instructions

Coconino County:

Forms and  Instructions

Yavapai County:

Establish Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time and/or Support: forms and instructions

Mohave County

Paternity forms and instructions