questions & answers

Question: My girlfriend is pregnant with my child and due in August of this year. Unfortunately she moved out and is no longer speaking to me.I do not know her due date or if she even intends to put my name on the birth certificate at this point. I would like to file a action with the courts to establish paternity before the baby is born.I want to exercise any and all rights I have as father. How do I begin this process and can I get any assistance in doing so. I can not afford a attorney.

Answer: Paternity proceedings are governed by statute.  Arizona Revised Statutes, Sections 25-803 to 25-809 describe who can file a paternity action.  You can find the forms and instructions you need to file the action in family court on the superior court's website.  Go to www.azcourts.gov and click on the county where you live.  Then, access the self-help center, and go to the family court section.  It might be in your best interests to talk to a lawyer to get some basic guidance before starting the process.  There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.