In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
What if he denies he is the father, or says he is not sure?
Contested paternity can be determined by the evidence presented in court, including highly accurate genetic testing conducted on samples of the alleged father, mother and child. Genetic testing results indicate a probability of paternity and can establish a legal presumption of paternity. To establish a probability of paternity in Arizona, the tests must reflect a 95 percent likelihood of paternity. These tests can exclude a wrongly accused man, but can also indicate the likelihood of paternity if he is not excluded. All individuals in a contested paternity case must submit to genetic testing at the request of either party. Once genetic testing identifies the father, a court order is obtained naming the biological father of the child as the legal father.
Response provided by the Department of Child Support Services
Resources:
- Department of Child Support Services - FAQ
- Child Support Guidelines
- Child Support Information