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This message will help men who want to be acknowledged as the legal father of the child or have been named in a paternity action.

The simplest way to establish paternity is for both parents to sign and file an Acknowledgment of Paternity.  This service is available in the hospital at birth, free of charge, or you can telephone the support specialist at your Family Independence Agency for free help.  After the Acknowledgment of Paternity form is recorded with the Department of Public Health the paternity of the child is legally established.  If both parents do not sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity form, paternity can be established by the court.

If you have been served with a paternity complaint, summons and notice of right to a court appointed lawyer, you can respond in three ways.

First, if you do not answer the complaint or appear in court as directed, the court will determine that you are the legal father and a court order called an Order of Filiation will be entered.

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Second, you can answer the complaint or appear in circuit court. At the hearing the court may require you, the mother and the child to take a blood test.  If at anytime during this process, you admit to being the father of the child, an order establishing paternity will be entered by the court.

Finally, if you answer the complaint or appear in court, the court may order you, the mother and the child to take a blood test. A trial will be held.  A trial will be held.  At the end of the trial, the court will either enter a paternity order of dismiss the paternity claim.

If paternity is established by one of these methods, the Order of Filiation may require you to pay for past child support, medical expenses for the birth of the child,  blood test costs, court costs and attorney fees.  A child custody or parenting time order is not automatically included in the paternity order.

Once paternity is established, a court order for child support may be issued by the circuit court.  The Friend of the Court will enforce the support order.  You may contact an attorney for assistance.

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This pamphlet was prepared by the Michigan Department of Social Services, Office of Child Support and the State Court Administrative Office. The material deals with the various aspects of establishing paternity for a child. 1992

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Last updated 3-15-06

Send your comments, questions and suggestions to Phil Harter at 161 E Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014 or e mail to pharter@calhouncountymi.gov