When Minnesotans think of filing a paternity action, it is usually because either the mother or the father wants to establish ground rules for child custody, visitation and child support. While these are all very important, another reason Minnesota parents may want to establish paternity is to ensure that if something tragic happens to the child's parent, the child will be legally entitled to a share in that parent's estate.
Former NBA superstar moves to dismiss paternity suit
On behalf of her 16-year-old son, a woman has filed a paternity action alleging that former NBA superstar Michael Jordan is the boy's father. Many Minnesotans might remember "Air" Jordan's acrobatics on the basketball court, and some consider him the greatest basketball player ever. Jordan now owns an NBA team based in another state.
Olympic skier files two paternity actions
Bode Miller, an Olympic gold medalist and world champion in downhill skiing who gained the attention of viewers in Minnesota and around the country, has filed two paternity actions. He is seeking to establish paternity of two different children born of two different women. These filings come on the heels of he and his wife's announcement that she miscarried the couple's first child that they were having together.
Program helps MN dads hone their parenting skills
A program in at least one Minnesota community helps dads polish the skills that they need in order to be the best possible role models for their children.
Unwed Minnesota fathers may face unexpected legal mess
Unmarried couples face many unique issues when it comes to property division, paternity, child custody and child support. A recent case shows us how fathers' rights differ for married and unmarried men.
Revamped Minnesota program to guide state's fathers
Wings in Alexandria recently revamped a program that aims to guide and support Minnesota's fathers through both the paternity process itself and the exciting but sometimes difficult steps that follow. The West Central Father's Resource Project will afford unwed fathers guidance through several important legal processes that they will need to follow in order to secure parental rights and, ultimately, a better relationship with their children.
Non-invasive prenatal tests may help Minnesotans prove paternity
In Minnesota, unmarried parents are required to support their children just as much as married parents, but there can be complications if the identity of the father is not clear. And just as a mother cannot secure child support if the identity of the father is not known, a man cannot claim child custody or visitation rights without proving that he is the biological father. An increasing number of people in St. Paul may be facing these issues as about half of the children who are born to mothers under 30 in the U.S. are born out of wedlock.
Man can sue for paternity fraud, state Supreme Court says
Under Minnesota law, unmarried parents are required to support their children financially. They also have the right to pursue child custody rights. However, with unmarried couples there can be complications about the identity of the father, making it difficult for the mother to pursue child support and the father to pursue parental rights. These parents are often wise to work with a Minnesota paternity attorney.
Court rules parents can withhold truth about paternity from child
Paternity is often a factor in cases involving child support, custody, adoption and inheritance. Paternity proceedings are more often utilized for unmarried couples, because when a child is born to a married couple, the legal presumption is that the husband is the child's father.
