Opinion ID: 1187866
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Joinder of child at initial paternity proceeding

Text: ¶ 20 Modern procedural rules require joinder of a party who claims an interest relating to the subject of the action and is so situated that the disposition of the action in his absence may ... as a practical matter impair or impede [his] ability to protect that interest. Ariz.R.Civ.P. 19(a). In the specific context of a paternity suit, many dangers of multiple litigation can be avoided by joining the child to the first action. See Hall, 191 Ariz. at 109, 952 P.2d at 753; R.A.J., 169 Ariz. at 96, 817 P.2d at 41; see also Kieler v. C.A.T., 616 N.E.2d 34 (Ind.App.1993) (observing that paternity defendant could have avoided problems had children been joined as necessary parties to first action). Moreover, because the child's interests potentially conflict with those of other parties involved, a guardian ad litem and independent counsel may be appointed to protect the child's interests. See Ariz.R.Civ.P. 17(g); R.A.J., 169 Ariz. at 96-97, 817 P.2d at 41-42. This, of course, depends on the identity of the other parties to the litigation and whether the child's interests can be fully, objectively, and disinterestedly represented. Given that we have identified the child's interests as distinct from those of the state and mother, we are reluctant to adopt a rule that such parties are always privies and representatives of the child, at least while they are also pursuing their own interests.