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Child Support

Establishing Paternity by Court Orders

If necessary, a court may take judicial action to establish paternity.

Paternity may be established judicially in two ways:

  1. The noncustodial parent may sign legal documents establishing paternity and/or support.  This is called a stipulation. The court then adopts the stipulation in a final order.
  2. The court may hold a hearing to establish paternity and/or support.

If paternity of the child is in question, the court may order a genetic test.

Either way, paternity can be established at any time for a minor child.