Providing Protection for Your Children

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 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 Law Office of Hope E. Fruchtman 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.

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. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, the final custody arrangement could involve sole legal custody, joint legal custody, sole physical custody or joint physical custody.

The court’s decision may depend 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 most 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. To learn more about these classes visit the Arizona Supreme Court’s page. You can also learn more about parenting time in Arizona on the court 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 the Law Office of Hope E. Fruchtman, we have two decades of 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.