What can I do if my husband has abandoned our child?

You can file for divorce and serve him by mail or another alternative method. Consult with an attorney to discuss further.

You have several options open to you. First you can contact the Department of Social and Health Services and request them to enter an Administrative Order of child support. A second option is to file for dissolution of marriage. Due to the fact you state that you now live in Michigan I recommend that you contact a Michigan Attorney to discuss further options.

My suggestion is that you consider filing for divorce. During these proceedings, you can ask that the court award you legal decision-making and parenting time over your daughter. If he fails to respond, the Court can enter a default decree. Michigan however would presumably have jurisdiction over your case, not Arizona.

I would move to terminate his parental rights to avoid any future issues and have the case examined to see if there is some means of colleting the past due support. Given the passage of time it you may wish to renew the support due so it does not clock off simply because of the passage of time. Termination of his rights will not effect his future support obligation, if you can ever collect it.