As may fathers are painfully aware, previously in Michigan, if a child was born
during a marriage, that child was presumed to be of that marriage. Even in
cases where DNA testing had been done and could prove paternity belonged to an
outside party, they had no claim upon their biological child, and no grounds to
file a motion to establish any contact or relationship with that child.
Similarly, if a mother filed a fraudulent Affidavit of Parentage naming a
different party as father, the biological father - with DNA proof of his
relation to the child, had no grounds to begin an action.
This all
changed on June 12, 2012 when Governor Snyder signed the Public Act 159 of 2012
- Revocation of Paternity Act. What this provided was that if a child was born
or conceived during a marriage, the biological father not married to the mother
could begin paternity action within the first three years of the child's life.
It also provided that a biological/alleged father could begin an action to set
aside an Affidavit of Parentage.
Although the Act specifically stated
these actions must begin within three years of the child's birth - there was a
clause that allowed fathers of older children, previously denied their claims of
paternity, could begin an action within one year of the signing of the action.
These actions must be filed by June 12, 2013.
Less than one month
remains in the window created for older children. Any fathers out there who
have previously been denied time and relationship with their biological child,
should consult an attorney to discuss their case before this time closes.
James Dimitriou II
www.wmichiganlegal.com
616-454-7969
No comments:
Post a Comment