Child Support

questions & answers

Question: My wife and I were married in Washington 2 years ago. She had an 8 year old child already and I have been dad but clearly not the biological father. She wants a divorce. Can I be sued for child support?

Answer: Did you legally adopt the child?  If so, the law considers the child to be yours and your wife can seek child support.  If you did not adopt the child, then you are not legally his father and the court can not obligate you to pay child support.  Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 25-501 states in part: "every person has the duty to provide all reasonable support for that person's natural and adopted minor, unemancipated children . . ."  If the child is not your natural or adopted child, you have no duty of support under Arizona law.

QUESTIONS

  • My wife and I were married in Washington 2 years ago. She had an 8 year old child already and I have been dad but clearly not the biological father. She wants a divorce. Can I be sued for child support?

STORIES

LegalLEARN

YOUR FEEDBACK IS NEEDED

FIND LEGAL HELP

  • Please select your county of residence below.

    County:
     

OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

ORGANIZATIONS

Generic versions of the drug Cialis, sold as tadalafil, now available from many manufacturers.