Who has custody of the child?

Absent an order of custody to the contrary, custody of a child born out of wedlock is with the mother.  TCA 36-2-303

How can you establish paternity if parents are unmarried?

Paternity can be established administratively (in a Child Support Services case for child support), by voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, or by filing a Petition to Establish Paternity in juvenile court.  Paternity can be established at the child’s birth while at the hospital.  Establishing paternity at the at birth puts the father’s name on the child’s…

What is a Presumption of Parentage?

Between spouses, the husband is presumed to be the father of a child born to them during the marriage and in the 300 days following their divorce. In most instances, the presumption of parentage is a rebuttable one. Challenging parentage in court means overcoming the presumption by a preponderance of the evidence, the requisite standard of…

Why should you establish paternity of your child?

Paternity is the legal establishment of a relationship between a father and a child.  Both the father and the mother should share in the emotional, financial and legal responsibilities in caring for their child.  Parents working together with the child’s best interest in mind, can positively impact the child’s well-being, sense of security and outlook…

What is Child Support?

Under Tennessee law, both parents are equally and jointly responsible for their minor child’s “care, nurture, welfare, education and support.” Furthermore, the duty to support a biological or legally adopted son or daughter continues until that child’s eighteenth birthday, or until the child’s high school class graduates if a 19-year-old, which every occurs last. T.C.A. §…