Paternity

questions & answers

Question: A woman is pregnant with twins that im pretty sure are mine but she is telling everybody that they are her current boyfriend/baby daddys twins. I want to be the babys father if they are mine. What can i do if she denies it?

Answer: For those seeking to establish paternity the Maricopa County Superior Court has provided a packet of forms. Through the self-service center you will find a packet that is called establish paternity. The packet includes instructions and the forms necessary to complete the process. According to A.R.S. §25-804 you can request to establish paternity while the mother is pregnant. In addition, the court holds a free workshop every third Friday of the month to assist people wanting to establish paternity. The court does request you bring a copy of the birth certificate. However, as the child is not yet born you will not have a birth certificate. Again, the statute stated above allows you to proceed with a request to establish paternity while the mother is pregnant. To begin the process you may obtain the forms for free on the Maricopa County Court self-serve center at: http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/Forms/FamilyCourt/fc_drp1.asp The forms to be completed – • Family court/sensitive date sheet, • Summons, • Preliminary Injunction, • Petition for Court Order for Paternity and (check the box that applies to you) (Please note the petition must be signed before a notary public.) • Order and Notice to Attend Parent Information Program Class. (This class is mandatory pursuant to A.R.S. §25-352 because the court has been requested to make a determination on child custody.) Make three (3) copies of all documents, EXCEPT THE FAMILY COURT/SENSITIVE DATA SHEET. Take all the documents to the court and file them with the clerk’s office. After getting the copies stamped at the clerk’s office you will serve the other party with the following: • Summons, • Preliminary injunction, • Petition for Court Order for Paternity, and • Order and Notice to Attend Parent Information Program Class. Please be aware there is a filing fee associated when submitting your documents to the court. The cost is $333. This cost can be expensive. However, you can request from the court a deferral of costs. There is a separate packet that must be completed to determine your eligibility. The other does have an opportunity to respond and must submit a response to the court and provide you with a copy of the response. In addition, the court has an interactive site where you can complete the documents online through ezcoutforms. This process is allows a person to complete their documents online and print them at the courthouse. Please note there is a fee per page of $0.20/page. If there are any doubts please do not hesitate in contacting an attorney.