questions & answers

Question: My friend has a baby with a girl and since the baby was born she has been lying to my friend and telling him he's not the father, she even faked a paternity test saying the baby wasn't his, turns out the baby is his she lied can she get in Tribble for lying to my friend? He's been wanting to see the baby for over a year and she's been lying to him saying it was Somone else's.. what should my friend do?

Answer: Your friend may need to file an action for paternity pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 25-803.  As part of a paternity action, he can request that the court make determinations about parenting time and legal decision making.  (Formerly custody and visitation).  He should really discuss the issue with a lawyer so that he understands issues of child support and custody.  There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  If you are financially qualified for the program, for a $75 fee, Modest Means  will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  If you need additional help and the attorney agrees to take your case, the fee charged will not exceed $75 per hour.  The telephone number is (866)637-5341.  Both the Maricopa and Pima County Bar Associations have lawyer referral programs that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consult for a fee of $40.  The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.  If, after talking to a lawyer, he decides to move forward, he has the option to hire a lawyer or handle the case on his own.  If he chooses the latter option, forms and instructions are available on the court's website in the self-service center:  http://www.azcourts.gov.