These days, many children are born to parents who are not married. This is a vastly different societal change than what was seen 50 years ago. There is not much of a stigma to being born “out of wedlock” anymore, and, with good reason – children don’t choose their parents, or the relationship status of their parents. But, legal issues can potentially be a bit more complex when it comes to children who are born to unmarried parents.
Why should fathers in Arizona establish paternity? You may think that the fact that you are in a committed relationship with the mother of the child is enough, but sometimes relationships change. Whereas, the father of a child who is born to a married couple has presumed legal status as the father of the child in question, that isn’t the case for unwed fathers. Establishing paternity can lock in your legal rights when it comes to parental rights.
But, more than just benefits of a legal and financial commitment between father and child, establishing paternity gives the father the chance – and the right – to be in the child’s life. The father and child can develop a relationship that we all know is very important for young children.
Kids in Arizona benefit most when both of their parents play an active role in their lives. When paternity is established, it gives the child the opportunity to be covered by either one of the parents’ health insurance plans, and it may result in a child support order being entered as well. For the children in this state and for themselves, fathers in Arizona may be glad they looked into the legal process of establishing their fathers’ rights.