Your child’s father doesn’t have the right to legal or physical custody of your child unless paternity has been established. This can be done in a limited number of ways in Arizona. First, listing a father on the birth certificate is one way to establish paternity, which of course can be rebutted. If the mother was married when she gave birth, her husband will be assumed to be the father. The same can be said if the parents were married ten months before the mother gave birth. The parents can also sign an affidavit affirming that the man is the father of the child. If none of the above are possible, the father’s identity will need to be verified through DNA testing. Either parent can petition the court to order DNA testing of the child and the father. If the results come back as a match of 95% or higher, paternity will be established. Keep in mind that if you don’t establish paternity in order to maintain sole custody, you also won’t be entitled to child support from the father. SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED TUCSON, ARIZONA FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY