Providing Protection for Your Children

Arizona's Attorneys for Paternity and Custody Cases

If you are attempting to obtain child custody, but do not have established paternity, legal representation is necessary. As your attorney we can assist you. We will help you to establish paternity, whether that means taking a paternity test or negotiating with the other party.

Once paternity issues are resolved, we can focus on your goals for child custody. Take the first step and come into the Scottsdale office of Fruchtman, Wilenchik & Larson, PLLC to discuss your situation. Call 623-806-8437 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.

Arizona's Paternity Law

Under Arizona law, the presumption is that the party who has had the child for the past six months is the custodial parent. In paternity situations where a father wants to be involved, but is not recognized on a birth certificate or by other means, the father can be completely excluded from the child.

The courtroom provides no guarantees, so the quicker you act in a paternity case, the better chance you have to be included in your child's life.

Potential Custody Outcomes

Once we have established paternity, we can then fight for your rights to child custody. A court can make decisions about your custody rights in a variety of ways, including:

• Sole legal custody
• Joint legal custody
• Sole physical custody (parenting time or visitation rights)
• Joint physical custody (parenting time or visitation rights)

The court may make a decision depending on when paternity is established (earlier or later in the child's life). If it is established later, the court's tendency is to favor the party who has had the child for the majority of the time. So get involved early to protect your rights.

The State of Arizona requires parents to attend a Parent Information Program Class in every divorce and paternity matter where custody is involved. Information on those classes is available by visiting the Arizona Supreme Court's page. You can also find a copy of the Model Parenting Time Plan on the Superior Court's site as well.

Put an End to the Uncertainty

Come in and meet with our lawyers to understand your options and how to best proceed. At Fruchtman, Wilenchik & Larson, PLLC, we have nearly five decades of combined experience in paternity and custody cases. We want to help you obtain the parenting rights you deserve. Call us today at 623-806-8437 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.

Fruchtman, Wilenchik & Larson, PLLC
7373 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite B-170
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: 623-806-8437
Fax: 480-264-3708
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