Can I File My Own Paternity Case in Arizona? (Step-by-Step – No Lawyer Needed)

 

Don’t pay thousands for a lawyer.

File your paternity, custody, and child support case yourself — step-by-step.

If you’re asking this, you’re probably in one of these situations:

• The father is not on the birth certificate
• There are no court orders for custody or child support
• You don’t have money for a lawyer
• You want to handle everything yourself the right way

Here’s the truth:

👉 Yes — you can file your own paternity case in Arizona.

And thousands of people do it every year without hiring an attorney.

This guide will walk you through the basics so you understand how the process works in Maricopa County.

⚖️ WHAT A PATERNITY CASE DOES

A paternity case allows the court to:

• Establish who the legal father is
• Decide legal decision-making (custody)
• Set parenting time (visitation)
• Order child support

⚠️ If the father is not listed on the birth certificate, this is the correct case to file.

📂 STEP 1: COMPLETE THE REQUIRED FORMS

To start your case, you’ll need:

✔ Petition to Establish Paternity
✔ Summons
✔ Preliminary Injunction
✔ Sensitive Data Sheet
✔ Parenting Plan
✔ Child Support Worksheet

🧮 STEP 2: COMPLETE CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET

Arizona requires a child support calculation.

Complete it here:
👉 http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/ezcourtforms2/

✔ Print it
✔ File it with your case

🧾 STEP 3: MAKE COPIES (VERY IMPORTANT)

Before going to court:

👉 Make at least 2 copies of everything

You will have:

• Original → Court
• Copy #1 → You
• Copy #2 → Other parent

🏛 STEP 4: FILE WITH THE COURT

Take your documents to:

👉 Clerk of Superior Court (Maricopa County)

At filing:

✔ Submit originals
✔ Pay filing fee (or apply for fee deferral)
✔ Clerk stamps your copies

📬 STEP 5: SERVE THE OTHER PARENT

After filing:

👉 You MUST serve the other parent

You can use:

• Acceptance of Service
• Certified Mail (Restricted Delivery)
• Process Server
• Sheriff

⚠️ Your case does NOT move forward until service is complete.

🏢 IMPORTANT: CHILD SUPPORT = DES MUST BE SERVED

If you are requesting child support:

👉 You must also serve:

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)
Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

If you skip this step:
❌ Your case can be delayed
❌ Child support may not be issued

📦 WANT EVERYTHING DONE STEP-BY-STEP?

If you want everything clearly organized — including instructions, sample forms, and direct links to the correct court documents — you can get the full kit here:

👉 Arizona Paternity DIY Kit (Maricopa County)

👉 DIGITAL VERSION ($99): https://payhip.com/b/4JNin

👉 PRINTED VERSION ($179): https://payhip.com/b/AGXg2

✔ Step-by-step instructions
✔ Designed for self-represented individuals
✔ No lawyer needed for uncontested cases

⚠️ WHAT “UNCONTESTED” MEANS

This process works best when:

✔ The other parent cooperates
✔ They do not file a response
✔ They are willing to sign or accept service

If the other parent fights the case, things can become more complex.

💡 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

❌ Not making copies before filing
❌ Serving documents incorrectly
❌ Forgetting to serve DES
❌ Filing incomplete paperwork

These mistakes can delay your case for weeks or months.

💰 DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?

Not always.

If your case is:
✔ Straightforward
✔ Uncontested
✔ No major disputes

👉 You can usually handle it yourself.

🚀 SKIP THE GUESSWORK

Don’t risk delays, rejected filings, or mistakes.

👉 Get the full step-by-step system here:

👉 DIGITAL VERSION ($99): https://payhip.com/b/4JNin

👉 PRINTED VERSION ($179): https://payhip.com/b/AGXg2

🔥 FINAL WORD

You don’t need to spend thousands on a lawyer just to start your case.

👉 You just need the right steps — and to follow them correctly.

👤 About the Author

This guide was created by:

Christian Soto, Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer (AZCLDP #81428)
Servicios Privados Legales de AZ LLC (#81647)

With over 10 years of experience and having assisted thousands of Arizona clients, this guide is designed to simplify the process for individuals who want to handle their case without hiring a lawyer.

This is not a law firm.

This is a step-by-step educational system designed to help you understand and complete the process on your own.