Autofill Legal Arizona Visitation Forms For Free

A father who desires sole or joint legal decision-making with substantial parenting time must show that he is, or can become, a parent the court should entrust with the child's care. The court makes custody determinations based upon the child's best interests.

In order to get visitation rights, you have to work with your spouse to get a court order that spells out what is going to happen when you and your spouse can't agree about parenting time. This court order will be your guide for making decisions about parenting time while you are separated or living apart.

In Arizona, parents may be required to pay child support even when they have shared parenting, alternating weeks, or another custody agreement. State law outlines an Income Shares Model, meaning that child support is a proportionate share that both parents are responsible for.

A father is entitled to equal rights in custody, even if he was never married to the mother of the child. More often than not, this means Arizona Courts grant 50/50 custody to the parents of a child. However, there are certain circumstances when fathers may be barred from joint custody.

Filing fees vary depending on your case. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 when you file. Your county may have additional costs, including fees for motions (e.g., a request for temporary orders), notary services and copying forms. If you can't afford the fees, you may be eligible for a deferral or waiver.

If the father wants custody, the mother is urged to do so as well. Unless there is a court ruling, Arizona law presumes that both parents bear equal responsibility for the child's legal decisions.