My child’s mom won’t let me see my child. What can I do?
We get this call from a father at least once a day. We can certainly help you figure out what you need to do. Generally speaking, when a mother won’t let you see the child, it is time to go to Court. You do that by filing a Petition to EstablishA document that starts a case involving unmarried parents where the Court will be making a decision for the first time. This typically includes first-time orders for paternity, legal decision-making, parenting time, and child support.Read more about Petition to Establish Paternity, Legal Decision-MakingThis is the right to make decisions on behalf of the child when it comes to decisions involving the child’s health, education, religion, or personal care. It does not include the right to dictate the child’s parenting time schedule or place conditions on the other parent’s time.…Read more about Legal Decision-Making, Parenting TimeThis is what it sounds like—this is when it’s the parent’s time with the child(ren). See A.R.S § 25-401(5). Prior to 2012, it was known as physical custody.Read more about Parenting Time, and Child SupportBy law, every person has a duty to support their biological or adopted children. See A.R.S § 25-501(A). This applies without or without a court order. The term “child support,” though, generally refers the Court-ordered amount one parent is required to pay to the other parent.Read more about Child Support with the Court. When you are not able to see the child, you may also want to consider filing for Temporary OrdersOrders the court puts in place while the parties go through discovery and disclosure on the case. The orders are in place until further order of the Court. Common temporary orders are orders for legal decision-making, parenting time, spousal maintenance, child support, exclusive…Read more about Temporary Orders, which is usually your quickest option to having a Parenting PlanThis is the Court order that contains the legal decision-making and parenting time orders. It sets forth the parenting time schedule and includes the other custody orders.Read more about Parenting Plan put in place. But we recommend you speak with an attorney before deciding what filing is best for your situation.