PATERNITY ACTIONS IN MISSOURI
Paternity is the legal establishment of a father-child relationship. Section 210.826 RSMo. governs these types of actions.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
If a Mother has requested support from the family support division, then upon this request, the Mother has assigned her right to pursue reimbursement to the State of Missouri. The State will then file a Paternity action and send a notice to the Father. Section 454.484 RSMo. governs this action. If the Father is voluntarily listed on the birth certificate then a Presumption of Paternity is in place. The listed Father would have the burden to rebut this presumption. A Paternity Test is sometimes used to determine the relationship.
PETITION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY
The primary method in establishing Paternity is a Paternity Action filed in the Circuit Court of the County where the child resides, or has resided for the preceeding 6 months. The Mother or Father can file this action. In order for a Father to have enforceable parenting time or visitation privileges with the minor child, the Father will also file, in the same action, motions for Child Custody and Child Support.
PATERNITY TESTING
There are numerous companies available for DNA testing to determine paternity. Including Paternity Testing Corporation in Columbia, Missouri.
