questions & answers

Question: I am the father of an 8 year old daughter born out of wedlock. No legal paternity has ever been established, but I've maintained a close relationship with my daughter all along as well as paid child support from day one. I would like to begin the process of obtaining legal joint (if possible) custody of my daughter ahead of fears my ex may try to relocate again (already moved from to CO to AZ). I believe I will need to establish legal paternity which is no problem as I am on the birth certificate and my ex will agree, as well as establishing permenant visitation rights and also the ability to bar her from moving again. Is there a step by step process available online to set this into motion? I am unable to afford an attorney, but might be able to afford a paralegal? Please advise.

Answer:

Depending on which county you are currently residing, the following links may prove helpful to your situation. If you do not see your county listed below, contact your local superior court to see if it has similar forms or requirements. You may still want to review the links below even if they are not for your specific county. These forms may give you an idea of the overall process involved:

• Maricopa County: Establishing Paternity, Child Custody and Parenting Time
• Yavapai County Establishing Paternity, Parenting Time, and Support
• Coconino County: Establishing Child Custody, Support and Parenting Time

Many courts have self help centers that can provide you with the forms that you need for your specific situation. Also, some courts have lists of attorneys who can help you represent yourself by providing you limited services for a fee. In addition the Maricopa County Bar Association and Pima County Bar Association have Lawyer Referral Hotlines where you can have a 30 minute consultation with an attorney for $35. To learn more about finding an attorney, see our article on Where to Find an Attorney for Specific Legal Advice.