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 Rhode Island, paternity is the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child. The state presumes that a man is the 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 use of court-ordered genetic testing. Establishing paternity is crucial for determining child support obligations, custody rights, and inheritance. Rhode Island's statutes regarding paternity can be found in the state's family law code, which outlines the specific procedures and circumstances under which paternity can be established or contested. These statutes provide the legal framework for paternity cases and ensure that the rights of all parties involved, including the child, are considered.