Scottsdale 'Bachelor' star is going to court to demand sanctions in paternity case

Former "Bachelor" star Clayton Echard is seeking attorney's fees and sanctions against an Arizona woman who claimed in a court that he was the father of her twins, then asked to have the matter dismissed.

Laura Owens of Scottsdale filed a petition for a court order of paternity seeking child support from Echard in the Maricopa County Superior Court in August 2023. Owens listed her occupation as "horse sales/podcast host."

Clayton Echard is a Scottsdale-based online personal training coach and former star of "The Bachelor." Echard responded to the petition to establish paternity by saying, “Pregnancy has not been proven, neither has paternity.”

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How has Laura Owens' paternity lawsuit against Clayton Echard evolved?

Owens initially claimed that she became pregnant with twins after having sexual intercourse with Echard.

Echard denied paternity. In court filings, he said they had oral sex, but "that was all."

Echard accused Owens of lying and fabricating medical documents. His attorneys also submitted examples of Owens threatening to take the story to the press.

Attorneys for Echard requested a ruling that Echard was not the father and sanctions against Owens because, they contended, the complaint was filed as harassment. Echard is also seeking an order compelling DNA testing records to be released, and he wants her to pay for his attorney's fees.

Owens subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the petition to establish paternity, saying she was "no longer pregnant."

What's supposed to happen next?

Judge Julie Mata granted Owens' motion to drop the petition for paternity but said the issues of sanctions and attorney's fees still need to be resolved. The parties are scheduled to argue their positions at an evidentiary hearing on Feb. 27.

Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona 'Bachelor' star Clayton Echard in paternity court case