Paternity is defined as the status of being a child’s legal father. Paternity generally only becomes an issue in situations where a child’s parents are not married to each other, as the law assumes that the mother’s husband is also the child’s father if the parents are married. If this is not the case, however, then paternity must be established.
Determining paternity is typically the first step in the process of resolving issues related to child custody and child support payments. As paternity is a sensitive and potentially contentious issue, it would be must beneficial to have a trusted Phoenix paternity attorney from Goldman Law, LLC on your side to help you resolve these matters as favorably, discretely and efficiently as possible.
Establishing Paternity
Legitimately establishing paternity can be done in numerous ways—depending on whether or not both parties agree on who the father is or if there is a dispute from either parent as to who a child’s father really is.
In Arizona divorce and child custody cases, the most common methods of establishing paternity include:
- Signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity Form – Both parents can sign this document upon agreeing on paternity. This form, once authorized, is considered legally binding 60 days after it has been signed.
Note that signing this form does not sort out child support or custody matters, and that parents must resolve any disputes in family law court if they cannot work these issues out on their own.
- Submitting to DNA testing – When there are questions or disputes over who a child’s father is, a possible father may submit to DNA testing voluntarily. The court may also order a man to submit to such testing.
DNA testing can definitively establish paternity, and can therefore rule out or point out a man as being the father of a child.
Contact the Phoenix Paternity Attorneys at Goldman Law, LLC
If you need help establishing paternity or resolving other paternity-related issues, contact a trusted Phoenix paternity attorney at Goldman Law, LLC. Our legal team is ready to stand up for your rights and protect your best interests, and has the experience, knowledge and resources necessary to help you resolve your paternity issues in the most favorable and efficient manner possible.
Call Goldman Law, LLC at (602) 698-5520 or email us using the contact form on this page to schedule a professional case evaluation and learn more about your rights. We serve clients in Phoenix and all throughout Arizona.
