In Massachusetts, Chapter 209C of the Massachusetts General Laws governs paternity actions for children born to unmarried parents. It establishes a legal framework for determining paternity, establishing support obligations, and addressing custody and visitation matters related to children born outside of marriage.
Key aspects of Chapter 209C:
- Establishing Paternity:
It provides the process for legally declaring a man as the father of a child born to unmarried parents, either through a voluntary acknowledgment or a court adjudication.
- Support Obligations:
It outlines the procedures for establishing and enforcing child support orders in cases where paternity has been established.
- Custody and Visitation:
Chapter 209C also addresses custody and visitation arrangements for children born out of wedlock, allowing for court orders regarding these matters.
Section 25 codifies the concept of a “de facto parent,” recognizing individuals who are not biologically related to a child but have established a significant parent-child relationship through their conduct.
- Legal Framework:
Chapter 209C is the primary legal tool for navigating the complexities of parentage and related issues when parents are not married.
- Purpose:
The overarching goal of Chapter 209C is to ensure that children born outside of marriage have the same legal rights and protections as those born to married parents.
