Paterntity

A paternity action is commenced to provide for support of children born out of wedlock. If paternity is not voluntarily established, the party seeking a finding of paternity must file suit in the family division of the circuit court. The mother, the alleged father, or sometimes the Department of Human Resources may bring the action. If a determination is made after a hearing or as a result of genetic testing, the court must enter an Order of Filiation. The Order of Filiation provides for the support of the child and reimbursement of the medical expenses incurred in the child’s birth, health care insurance coverage and support.
 

An acknowledgment of paternity may be the basis for court ordered support, custody or parenting time without necessity of further hearings. The Acknowledgment of Parentage Act provides that if the parentage of a child is acknowledged under the Act, most commonly accomplished by signing an Affidavit of Parentage at the time of the child’s birth, then the child will have the same relationship to the mother and the man signing as the father as a child born or conceived during a marriage. The child will also have the same status rights and duties of a child born in wedlock effective from the date of his or her birth.