A paternity suit is where a child is determined by the court to be the true biological child of a person.  This establishes the 'parent-child' relationship between the parties.

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The following persons may bring a paternity suit-

1. The Child

2. Mother of the Child

3. Relative of the Child's Mother (if the mother is deceased);

4. The Alleged Father of the Child; or

5. The Department of Health & Human Services.

DNA Testing will almost certainly be used to determine the true parentage of a child.  The court should order the child and other individuals to submit to genetic testing.  If a DNA specimen is not available from the child’s alleged father the court may order the relatives of the child's alleged father to be tested.

If a man refuses to submit to testing he may either be held in contempt of court or a default judgment could be had against him adjudicating him the father of the child.

If the court finds a man to be a father it will enter an order adjudicating him as a parent.   An order adjudicating a man as a parent establishes the parent child relationship.  The court may also order child support to be paid.  It may also include past support and prenatal and postnatal health care to be paid.

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