Paternity is legal fatherhood—and establishing it is one of the most important steps in the child support process. A man is generally presumed to be the father of children born to his wife during their marriage. The presumption of the husband’s paternity can be rebutted through court-ordered genetic testing. The circumstances under which paternity is presumed vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes—often in the statutes grouped together and known as the family code.
In Minnesota, paternity, or legal fatherhood, is crucial in the child support process. A man is presumed to be the biological father of a child if the child is born during his marriage to the mother. This presumption can be challenged and potentially overturned with the help of court-ordered genetic testing. Minnesota's statutes outline specific circumstances under which paternity is presumed, and these are typically found within the state's family code. If paternity is in question, either parent can initiate a legal action to establish paternity. This process may involve signing a Recognition of Parentage or going through a court proceeding. Establishing paternity is important for determining child support obligations, inheritance rights, and providing the child with access to family medical history, among other reasons.