Paternity Attorney In Mesa, AZ
Establishing paternity provides a child with the support and resources they deserve. Whether you are a father seeking paternity over a child or a mother seeking financial support and involvement from the other parent, a lawyer can guide you through the process with confidence. A Mesa paternity lawyer brings years of experience understanding paternity laws and handling paternity cases.
Trusted Legal Guidance for Parents Seeking Paternity
The decision to hire a paternity lawyer is an important first step toward building a lasting bond between a father and child. For over two decades, Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., has guided fathers and mothers through the process, from initial genetic testing to the final court order. Our team of family law attorneys can also help you establish custody and visitation rights over your child.
Setting our industry-leading legal team apart is our dedication to delivering exceptional legal services and strategies tailored to the needs of our clients. Our team is staffed by Certified Family Law Specialists and two Legal Paraprofessionals. When you partner with our boutique family law firm, you gain the collective experience of a dedicated team of attorneys who care about the outcome of your case.
Understanding Paternity in Mesa
Establishing legal paternity is an important first step for any father seeking parental rights and responsibilities in Arizona. Mothers also seek paternity to establish support orders. The court cannot issue child or custody orders until paternity is legally confirmed.
In State Fiscal Year 2023, Arizona established paternity for 34,638 children born to unmarried parents, ranking No. 1 in the nation for paternity establishment efforts. Nationwide, 25% of children under 15 live with a stay-at-home mother, while just 1% live with a stay-at-home father, emphasizing the value of clearly defined parental roles.
In Mesa neighborhoods like Las Sendas, Eastmark, and Dobson Ranch, establishing paternity is essential for protecting your child’s rights and securing a fair legal outcome. The process typically involves filing through the court or a voluntary acknowledgment, and it may include DNA testing when parentage is contested.
How the Courts Establish Paternity
When paternity is disputed or unclear, Arizona courts follow specific legal procedures to establish the identity of a child’s legal father. If both parents agree on paternity, they may sign and file a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form, which becomes legally binding 60 days after filing unless withdrawn.
When paternity is contested, either parent may file a petition to establish paternity, which often triggers court-ordered genetic testing. These tests compare DNA samples from the mother, child, and alleged father to determine a biological match. In other cases, the Assistant Attorney General’s Office may become involved.
If the results confirm paternity, the court can issue a legal order establishing the father’s legal status, but additional steps must be taken to petition for custody, parenting time, or decision-making authority. A confirmed legal father may also become subject to a child support order.
Why You Should Hire a Paternity Lawyer
Establishing paternity carries significant legal, emotional, and financial implications. Whether you are a mother seeking support from the biological father or a father seeking time with a child who was born outside a marriage, a Mesa paternity attorney can guide you through the document preparation process so you achieve your goals in court.
Having legal representation ensures that all forms are carefully and accurately filled out and court deadlines are met. Once paternity is established, an attorney can guide you through the child support and custody process. These matters are handled through the Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast Regional Center in Mesa, where many fathers have had their paternity established with the help of the courts.
FAQs
Q: How Is Paternity Established in Arizona?
A: Paternity can be established by signing a voluntary acknowledgment form or through court proceedings. If paternity is contested, the court may order genetic testing. Once paternity is established, the father can take the next step of going to court to gain legal rights and responsibilities, including custody, parenting time, and child support.
Arizona encourages early paternity establishment to ensure both parents contribute to the child’s emotional and financial well-being.
Q: Why Is Establishing Paternity Important?
A: Establishing paternity is important because it gives the child legal rights to inheritance, medical history, insurance, and support. It also allows the father to obtain custody or parenting time. In Arizona, a legal father must be named before the court can make decisions about child support or visitation. Without legal paternity, the court has no authority to issue enforceable parenting or support orders.
Q: Can a Father Seek Custody Before Establishing Paternity?
A: No. In Arizona, a man must first establish legal paternity before the court will consider requests for custody or parenting time. Without paternity, the father has no legal standing. Once established, the court evaluates custody based on the child’s best interests, just like any other parenting case involving decision-making and visitation rights between unmarried parents.
Q: What Happens if a Man Denies Paternity?
A: If paternity is denied, the court can order DNA testing to determine biological fatherhood. If the test confirms paternity, the court will issue an order establishing legal paternity and may proceed with child support, custody, and parenting time determinations. Arizona treats confirmed fathers the same as those in a divorce, with full legal rights and obligations for the child.
Navigate Your Paternity Case With Confidence. Call Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., Today
Arizona’s courts understand that children benefit greatly from meaningful time with both parents. Establishing legal paternity is a critical first step in securing parental rights and responsibilities. Whether you are seeking child support, custody, or simply the right to be involved in your child’s life, the process must be handled with care and legal precision.
Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., assists parents with paternity actions throughout Mesa and Maricopa County. Our founding attorney, Steve Ellsworth, is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a distinction earned by exceptional family law attorneys. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you move forward with your paternity case.
