Legal Definitions - paternity suit

A paternity suit (also known as a paternity action or parentage action) is a legal proceeding initiated to officially determine the biological father of a child.

This type of lawsuit is typically brought when the parents are not married, and there is a dispute or uncertainty about who the father is. The primary goal is to establish legal fatherhood, which carries significant implications for both the child and the parents. Once paternity is legally established, the father gains parental rights, such as the ability to seek custody or visitation, and also assumes parental obligations, including the duty to provide financial support for the child.

Paternity suits often involve scientific tests, such as DNA testing, to provide definitive evidence of biological parentage.

Here are a few examples of situations where a paternity suit might be filed:

• Mother seeking child support: After giving birth, Maya believes Liam is the father of her child. Liam, however, denies paternity and refuses to contribute financially to the child's upbringing. Maya can file a paternity suit to legally establish Liam as the father. If successful, the court would then order Liam to pay child support, ensuring the child receives financial assistance.

• Alleged father seeking parental rights: Mark had a relationship with Chloe, who later gave birth to a daughter. Mark believes he is the child's father and wants to be an active part of her life, but Chloe insists he is not and prevents him from having any contact. Mark can initiate a paternity suit to legally confirm his biological relationship. If paternity is established, he can then petition the court for visitation rights or even shared custody.

• Child seeking identity or benefits: Sarah, an adult, grew up believing Mr. Henderson was her father. After his death, she discovers old family letters suggesting another man, Mr. Davies, might be her biological father. Sarah wants to confirm her true biological parentage for medical history purposes and to potentially claim survivor benefits from Mr. Davies's estate. She could file a paternity suit (or have one filed on her behalf if she were a minor) to legally establish Mr. Davies as her biological father.