Hildebrand Law, P.C. mobile logo

Categories

Child Support Obligations of a Minor in Arizona | Hildebrand Law, PC

Thu 2nd Mar, 2017 Arizona Child Support Laws

In Arizona, each parent has the legal obligation to provide financial assistance for their children. Does this apply to a boy who fathers a child when he is only 13? In State v. Anonymous, 768 P. 2d 174 (1988) the Arizona Court of Appeals considered the issue.

Facts and Procedure

A 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy had a sexual relationship, and the girl became pregnant. She gave birth to a child. The Pima County Child Support Services sought an order requiring the boy to provide support for his child. The lower court granted that request. The boy appeals.

U.S. News and World Report Votes Hildebrand Law, PC Best Law Firms for 2020 2021 2022 2023

Minority and Paternity

The boy argues that the duty of support does not apply to him. Although he is the father of the child, he is legally a child himself. The Court reviewed the language of the statute, A.R.S. § 12-849(A).

That law provides that a natural parent in Arizona is liable for the financial support of his child. The Court noted that the boy had not cited any authority that an underage father is relieved of that obligation. The Court found that the language of A.R.S. § 12-850 supports the view that a minor is responsible for his child.

It reads: The parent or parents having custody or control of the putative mother or father may be joined as defendants in the action if the alleged mother or father is a minor or was a minor at the time the action was commenced. Such parents may be held jointly and severally liable with such minor. However, the liability of such parents shall be limited to an amount not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars.

The Court of Appeals found the legislative purpose to be clear from this statute. The duty of financial child support in Arizona is for the benefit of the helpless newborn child. It is not to punish the parent.

Disposition

Child Support Obligations of a Minor in Arizona.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling that the 13-year-old had a legal duty to support his child.

If you have questions about child support obligations of a minor in an Arizona divorce case, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona child support and family law attorneys have decades of combined experience successfully representing clients in child support and family law cases.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona child support or family law case around today.

Contact Form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

As Seen on CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, and Fox News

Arizona Estate Planning Attorneys, PC As Seen in the News.
Hildebrand Law, PC As Seen in the News.