questions & answers

Question: I just had a baby and an ex-boyfriend who is not the father of my baby is taking me for paternity test. Do I have to pay court fees every time someone wants to claim to be the father of my child. I was not even with him at the time and the father of my baby is on birth certificate and the baby has the fathers last name. Question is why do I have to pay court fees to respond, it's like anyone can petion to be the father and I have to pay court fees when I alresdy know who father is

Answer:

Per the AZ Department of Economic Security’s FAQ on Paternity (https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=24&id=2730#a3), paternity tests are paid for by the State unless the petitioner is found to be the father:
“If genetic testing is necessary, who pays for it?
The State of Arizona will pay for genetic testing in advance. The alleged father signs an agreement to repay the state should he be identified as the father through the testing. If the alleged father is found to be the biological father of the child, he can repay the fees in a lump sum or can repay the state in monthly installments until the costs of the tests are paid in full.”
 AZ DES also has a forms page (https://www.azdes.gov/appforms.aspx?category=94&menu=24) which lists numerous forms, including the Acknowledgement of Paternity. If you know the child’s paternity and wish for the father to be legally named, you may have him complete this form. This may help avoid future paternity claims from those not identified.

To find out how the law applies to a specific situation, contact an attorney directly (http://www.azlawhelp.org/articles_info.cfm?mc=5&sc=36&articleid=151).