Phoenix Paternity Lawyers

Helping Clients With Paternity Rights

Family law matters are always delicate, and a paternity suit is no exception. Establishing paternity can make all the difference when parents are unmarried or if they are deciding on custody or child support matters during a divorce. In a custody battle, a child is already struggling emotionally and psychologically right along with his or her parents, and having the child’s custody decided quickly and fairly is one of the most important things you can do. You want your child’s safety to be a number one priority during the process. Sometimes other factors come into play in a divorce or separation, such as grandparents’ rights, adoption, or needing a DNA test to prove paternity. No matter what your needs are in your paternity case, our attorneys are ready and capable of helping you in your legal decision-making. The Sampair Group’s Arizona Divorce attorneys serve the Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix areas and are available for evening and weekend appointments. To schedule your initial consultation with a Divorce Attorney in Glendale, call us at 623-777-3909.

Who is Considered a Legal Father in Arizona?

Paternity is, in general, the parental relationship between a man and a child through legal acknowledgment.

Under the “Presumption of Legitimacy,” a wife’s child, born during a marriage, is the husband’s child, and the husband is assigned all rights, duties, and responsibilities of parenting that child. A man is also presumed to be the father of any child if the child’s birth occurred within 10 months of the end of a marriage, either by death, divorce, annulment, or legal separation. Genetic testing is another way to prove a man is the biological father. Paternity may also be established if an unmarried couple both signs the child’s birth certificate. The “Presumption of Legitimacy,” however, can be rebutted by evidence through a formal court ruling.

Regardless of your needs in paternity matters, you will want to have a trusted legal team who can help you every step of the way. Reach out to our exceptional staff at The Sampair Group to start taking action today.

How Does the Legal Process Work for Establishing Paternity?

The jurisdiction for establishing paternity is based on the “Presumption of Legitimacy” that can be set aside if the husband is not the actual father. Through a paternity case, in the case that the mother is not married, the actual father can accept the paternity of his child. The mother may petition the court for a resolution of the custody of the child if biological paternity is in question.

A putative father is the supposed father of a child based on marriage or the birth certificate. The putative father may not be the biological father, however, and this can sometimes cause questions about paternity. When there are questions, either party—mother or father—may ask the court to determine the paternity of the putative father through sworn statements and evidence. Once a man has been established as the father, he is granted paternal rights, including support responsibility and visitation rights.

When you file to establish paternity, you will begin by submitting a paternity form. If needed, the court may require further documentation to demonstrate whether or not the alleged father is, in fact, the father of the child. This process can be daunting and should always be attempted only with the help of a trusted family law lawyer. The talented legal team at The Sampair Group is ready to help you today. Call our office to schedule a consultation where you can discuss the details of your paternity case and see how we can help you get the results you need.

What are the Benefits of Obtaining Paternity?

There are many reasons why a parent would want to establish paternity. One example would be that a mother desires for the alleged father to provide child support, which can only occur if the man is proven to be the legal father. If the father voluntarily acknowledges paternity, this is clearly the easiest route. But sometimes, the father of a child wishes to avoid the responsibility of providing for his children, and legal action must be pursued.

Another time when a paternity case is appropriate is for a father who wishes to obtain visitation rights for his children. It should be noted that it is within his parental rights to do so, with or without the permission of the mother of the child, assuming that he is the actual father. The father does not have to get permission to petition for paternity.

There are different aspects to proving paternity that can make a huge difference in your case. These include DNA testing, whether a birth certificate was signed by the two parents, and the time frame in which a baby was born. Having a paternity lawyer on your side throughout the proceedings can make all the difference in ensuring every aspect of your case is considered in order to arrive at the right results for you. Contact us today for your initial consultation.

How can Paternity Lawyers in Phoenix Help You?

Parenting is one of the most valuable experiences in this life. Don’t let issues regarding paternity prevent you from giving your children the best chances in life. Whether you need child support or to offer your child safety, our firm does everything possible to represent you. We will also stand by any parent who desires to establish paternity for visitation rights with their children by helping with the paternity form and working through any further requirements the court may demand. The experienced divorce attorneys at The Sampair Group represent individuals throughout the Valley with locations in Phoenix and Glendale. We are always happy to meet with potential clients and work through the details of your situation, as we realize that every family is different in its needs and goals.

Don’t go through this difficult time alone. If you need legal representation in seeking paternity or any other family law dispute, The Sampair Group can help. Please feel free to call 623-777-3909 to schedule a initial consultation and discuss the details of your paternity case today.