Fall 2009 open memo pleadings arkansas law ai sperm donor parental rights
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Transcript of Fall 2009 open memo pleadings arkansas law ai sperm donor parental rights
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
PETITION TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY AND CUSTODYAND FOR CHANGE OF NAME
COMES NOW, the Petitioner, David R. Covington , by and through his counsel,
Benjamin Swank, and hereby states and alleges as follows:
1. Petitioner is a bona fide resident of the State of Arkansas, and the Petitioner
currently resides in Pulaski County, Arkansas, at 7115 S.W. Forest Drive, North Little
Rock, Arkansas 72114.
2. Two (2) children were born to the parties:
Catalyn M. Warren, d/o/b October 12, 2009, and
Carson L. Warren, d/o/b October 12, 2009.
Page 1 of 17
3. Petitioner, David R. Covington, upon information and belief, is the
biological father of the aforementioned children, and genetic testing should be ordered for
the parties to confirm the Petitioner’s paternity of the children.
4. If, as Petitioner alleges upon information and belief, he is determined by
genetic testing to be the father of the children, Petitioner alleges that they were conceived
in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by means of artificial insemination.
5. At the time the children were conceived, Petitioner resided in Mountain
Home, Arkansas. Petitioner moved to his current residence in North Little Rock, Arkansas
on or about September 4, 2009, in anticipation of the children’s birth.
6. Petitioner is a fit and proper person to be awarded joint legal custody of
the minor children and is financially capable of providing for the needs of the children.
7. No child support order or schedule of parenting time has yet been
established.
8. Petitioner further states:
a) The children’s present address is 3629 S.W. Auburn Road, Sherwood, Arkansas.
b) The name and present address of the person with whom the children live is as follows:
Sarah R. Warren, 3629 S.W. Auburn Road, Sherwood, Arkansas.
c) The Petitioner knows of no person not a party to the proceedings who has physical custody of the children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the children.
Page 2 of 17
9. Because the minor children reside within the State of Arkansas and both
parties currently reside in Pulaski County, Arkansas, this Court has jurisdiction and venue
over this matter under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-10-102 (2009).
10. Should genetic testing confirm that Petitioner is the father of the children, as
Petitioner believes in good faith, the children were conceived by artificial insemination in
Hot Springs, Arkansas. Therefore, Arkansas law applies with respect to the parental rights
of the Petitioner.
11. If it is determined, once genetic testing is complete, that David R.
Covington is in fact the biological father of the children, as he believes in good faith,
Petitioner requests that Catalyn M. Warren’s name be changed to Catalyn M. Covington,
that Carson L. Warren’s name be changed to Carson L. Covington, and that David R.
Covington be named the natural father on both children’s birth certificates.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner prays this Court to enter an Order for genetic testing to
establish paternity of the minor children; for joint custody of the minor children; for an
order of child support and a schedule of parenting time; and upon the Court’s determination
of paternity, for change of the children’s names to Catalyn M. Covington and Carson L.
Covington respectively; for David R. Covington to be named as the natural father on the
children’s birth certificates; and such further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: October 28, 2009 ___________/s/____________________Benjamin SwankArkansas Bar #189192913 S.W. Wanamaker RoadLittle Rock, Arkansas 72210(501) 297-8002
Page 3 of 17
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
AFFIDAVIT ACKNOWLEDGING PATERNITY
STATE OF KANSAS )) ss:
COUNTY OF PULASKI )
I, DAVID R. COVINGTON, who is of lawful age, being first duly sworn on oath,
depose and state the following:
1. I am an individual presently residing at 7115 S.W. Forest Drive, North Little
Rock, Arkansas 72114.
2. I hereby acknowledge the paternity of my son Carson L. Warren and
daughter Catalyn M. Warren, both born on October 12, 2009, in that I am their biological
father.
3. Sometime in late 2008, Sarah Warren asked me to donate sperm to allow her
to conceive a child by artificial insemination. At first reluctant, I ultimately agreed, with
Page 4 of 17
the understanding that I would have access to the children and would play a significant role
in their upbringing.
4. On the day of the children’s birth, I went to the Arkansas Children’s
Hospital to await their arrival. After their birth, hospital staff refused to allow me to see
my children, claiming that their mother, Sarah Warren, had ordered them to keep me away
from the children.
5. I have made additional efforts to maintain contact with my children and to
establish a paternal relationship with them. Sarah Warren refuses to allow me to see my
children, contrary to the verbal agreement upon which I relied when I agreed to donate my
sperm to her for artificial insemination purposes.
6. I hereby acknowledge my obligation to provide for the needs and expenses
related to the care and wellbeing of my son Carson L. Warren and daughter Catalyn M.
Warren.
7. I hereby acknowledge my obligation to provide for the prenatal and natal
care of my son Carson L. Warren and my daughter Catalyn M. Warren.
8. I hereby assert my parental rights to joint custody or court-ordered visitation
with my son Carson L. Warren and my daughter Catalyn M. Warren.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NOT.
Page 5 of 17
VERIFICATION
David R. Covington, who is of lawful age, being first duly sworn on oath, states:
He is the Petitioner in this matter; he has read this document and knows its content; and the statements and allegations contained in this document are truthful and accurate.
___________/s/___________________David R. Covington, Petitioner
STATE OF ARKANSAS )) ss:
COUNTY OF PULASKI )
On this 29th day of October, 2009, David R. Covington, who is personally known to me to be the same person who executed this document, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for Pulaski County and the State of Arkansas.
In witness of his signature, I have set my hand and seal on the date last above written.
___________/s/___________________Notary Public
My Appointment Expires: _9/30/10__
Page 6 of 17
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF NEXT FRIEND
Petitioner, David R. Covington, upon information and belief, asserts that he is the
natural father of Carson L. Warren and Catalyn M. Warren, minor children; that Carson L.
Warren and Catalyn M. Warren currently reside with Respondent in or near Sherwood,
Arkansas; that Petitioner desires to institute an action on behalf of the minor children in the
Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas, to establish by genetic testing that he is in fact
the natural biological father of Carson L. Warren and Catalyn M. Warren, and that he, the
Petitioner and the children’s putative father, be appointed as their next friend for the
purpose of instituting this action.
Page 7 of 17
VERIFICATION
David R. Covington, who is of lawful age, having been first duly sworn, states:
He is the Petitioner; he has read this document and knows its content; and his statements and allegations in the document are truthful and accurate.
___________/s/___________________David R. Covington, Petitioner
STATE OF ARKANSAS )) ss:
COUNTY OF PULASKI )
On this 29th day of October, 2009, David R. Covington, who is personally known to me to be the same person who executed this document, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for Pulaski County and the State of Arkansas.
In witness of his signature, I have set my hand and seal on the date last above written.
___________/s/___________________Notary Public
My Appointment Expires: _9/30/10__
Page 8 of 17
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
CONSENT OF NEXT FRIEND
I, DAVID R. COVINGTON, consent and am willing to serve as the Next Friend of
Carson L. Warren and Catalyn M. Warren, minor children, for the purpose of instituting an
action to determine their paternity.
VERIFICATION
David R. Covington, who is of lawful age, having been first duly sworn, states:
He is the Petitioner; he has read this document and knows its content; and his statements and allegations in the document are truthful and accurate.
___________/s/___________________David R. Covington, Petitioner
Page 9 of 17
STATE OF ARKANSAS )) ss:
COUNTY OF PULASKI )
On this 29th day of October, 2009, David R. Covington, who is personally known to me to be the same person who executed this document, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for Pulaski County and the State of Arkansas.
In witness of his signature, I have set my hand and seal on the date last above written.
___________/s/___________________Notary Public
My Appointment Expires: _9/30/10__
Page 10 of 17
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
ANSWER AND RESPONSE TO PETITION TO ESTABLISHPATERNITY, CUSTODY, AND CHANGE OF NAME
Sarah R. Warren, by and through her attorney, Susan Anderson, for her Answer and
Response to the Petition, denies each of the allegations unless specifically admitted below.
1. Respondent is without sufficient information or knowledge to form a belief as to
the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 1.
2. Respondent admits that she has two children, namely Catalyn M. Warren and
Carson L. Warren, but denies that a relationship existed between Respondent and
Petitioner. Respondent challenges Petitioner’s acknowledgement of paternity on the basis
that Petitioner was a sperm donor only, and no written agreement ever existed between
Petitioner and Respondent regarding artificial insemination. Therefore, Petitioner is not
considered in law to be the natural father of Catalyn M. Warren and Carson L. Warren.
Page 11 of 17
3. Respondent denies the allegation in Paragraph 3 in its entirety and asserts that
Petitioner is not considered in law to be the birth father of Catalyn M. Warren and Carson
L. Warren.
4. Respondent denies the allegation in Paragraph 4 that Petitioner is the natural
father of Catalyn M. Warren and Carson L. Warren. Respondent admits the allegation in
Paragraph 4 that the children were conceived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by means of
artificial insemination.
5. Respondent admits the allegation in Paragraph 5 that at the time the children
were conceived, Petitioner resided in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Respondent has
insufficient information to either admit or deny the second sentence of Paragraph 5.
6. Respondent denies the allegation in Paragraph 6 in its entirely and does not
believe that Petitioner is entitled to any type of legal custody or court-ordered visitation.
7. Respondent admits the allegation in Paragraph 7 that no child support order or
schedule of visitation has been established and alleges that neither should be established, as
Petitioner is not considered in law to be the natural father of Catalyn M. Warren and
Carson L. Warren.
8. Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 8.
9. Respondent admits the allegation in Paragraph 9.
10. Respondent denies the allegation in Paragraph 10 that the Petitioner is the father
of the children. Respondent admits that the children were conceived in the State of
Arkansas as the Respondent’s fertility doctor is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the
artificial insemination took place in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Page 12 of 17
11. Respondent denies the allegation and request in Paragraph 11 for a name change
in its entirety because David R. Covington is not considered in law to be the natural father
of Catalyn M. Warren and Carson L. Warren. Further, Respondent objects to Petitioner’s
request to change the children’s surname to Covington. Respondent does not consent to
such a name change for a number of reasons, including but not limited to the fact that it is
not in the best interest of her children. Respondent contends that absent her consent,
Arkansas law supports her objection to changing the minor children’s name from Warren
to Covington.
_________/s/__________________Susan Anderson, #15897Attorney for Respondent
Page 13 of 17
STATE OF ARKANSAS )) ss:
COUNTY OF PULASKI )
I, Sarah R. Warren, of lawful age, being first duly sworn upon my oath, according
to law, state that I am the respondent in the above matter and that the allegations and
averments contained in my Answer and Response to Petition are true and correct to the best
of my knowledge and belief.
_________/s/__________________ Sarah R. Warren
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN before me this 29th day of October, 2009.
_________/s/__________________ ________12/31/11_____________Notary Public My Appointment Expires
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Susan Anderson hereby certifies that on the 29th day of October, 2009, that she served a copy of the above and foregoing Answer and Response to Petition to Establish Paternity, Custody, and Change of Name, by U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Benjamin SwankAttorney at Law2913 S.W. Wanamaker RoadLittle Rock, AR 72210
_______________________________Susan Anderson, #15897
Page 14 of 17
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSASDIVISION 5
In the Matter of the Paternity of: )CARSON L. WARREN and )CATALYN M. WARREN, by and )Through Their Natural Father )and Next Friend, )
)DAVID R. COVINGTON, )
)Petitioner, ) Case No. 09-D-7419
)and )
)SARAH R. WARREN, )
)Respondent. )
____________________________________)
MOTION TO DISMISS
Respondent, Sarah R. Warren, by her attorney, Susan Anderson, respectfully asks
this Honorable Court to issue an Order dismissing the captioned action by virtue of
Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can
be granted. In support of this Motion, Respondent alleges as follows:
1. Petitioner lacks standing to file a paternity action because he is not the legal
father of the children.
2. Petitioner David R. Covington’s acknowledgement of paternity is invalid in
that Carson L. Warren and Catalyn M. Warren were not conceived as the result of a sexual
relationship between the Petitioner and Respondent. Rather, Petitioner was only the donor
of semen provided to a licensed physician for the purpose of inducing Respondent’s
Page 15 of 17
pregnancy by artificial insemination. Moreover, Respondent has never been Petitioner’s
wife, and the parties had no written agreement concerning this matter as provided by Ark.
Code Ann. § 20-10-202(b).
3. In order for the donor of sperm to be treated in law as the natural father of a
child born to a woman who is not the donor’s wife, Respondent contends that Arkansas law
requires a written agreement to that effect between the sperm donor and the woman who is
impregnated by artificial insemination with the donor’s sperm.
4. Because Petitioner David R. Covington is not considered to be the birth
father and next friend of Catalyn M. Warren and Carson L. Warren as a matter of law, this
action should be dismissed with prejudice.
WHEREFORE, Respondent prays the Court issue an Order dismissing Case No.
09-D-7419 with prejudice, and granting Respondent such other and further relief as the
Court deems just and equitable.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________Susan Anderson, #15897Attorney for Respondent
Page 16 of 17
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Susan Anderson, do hereby certify that I have served a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing document on counsel of record by placing the same in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, on the 29th day of October, 2009, addressed to:
Benjamin Swank2913 S.W. Wanamaker RoadLittle Rock, Arkansas 72210Attorney for Petitioner
_______________________________Susan Anderson, #15897Attorney for Respondent
Page 17 of 17