questions & answers

Question: I had a daughter 16 years ago while i was 16 myself. Her father took her from california to Az to see her grandmother. after that his girlfriend and he would not let me see her. A child myself i was devistated its been 16 years since ive seen my daughter. i recently found out where she is, both her parents are illeagal citizens, what r my rights as mother, to get to see my daughter again?

Answer:  Under A.R.S. section 25-803, a mother may petition to initiate a proceeding establishing her maternity of a child (http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/25/00803.htm&Title=25&DocType=ARS). The proceedings must be instituted before the child’s 18th birthday. A person can make a motion to modify child custody under A.R.S. section 25-411 (http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/25/00411.htm&Title=25&DocType=ARS). In a proceeding to determine parentage when the child is out of state, the person must follow the requirements listed in A.R.S. section 25-1221 (http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/25/01221.htm&Title=25&DocType=ARS).