Paternity - Parentage proceedings to establish paternity.
The goal of childhood paternity is to insure support for children born of parents who are not married to each other. The determination of paternity is performed either by voluntary acknowledge (pursuant to M.G.L. c. 209C, § 11) or by adjudication in Court (pursuant to M.G.L. c. 209C, § 3).
Paternity promotes the public policy that dependent children be maintained as completely as possible from the resources of their parents. This policy applies equally to all children, regardless of the parents' marital status. Issues to be resolved in paternity actions include child support and health insurance coverage, support for the child's post-secondary education as well as child custody and visitation.
William M. Driscoll, Esq. 6 Courthouse Lane, Suite 5 Chelmsford, MA 01824