Paying Child Support When You're Not On The Birth Certificate

marygon · #1 07-25-2007, 07:44 AM

Hello, I live in Connecticut, my husband has 2boys prior to our marriage (16 and 17 yrs. old. He was never married to the mother. He has been paying child support all their lives. And, yes she was on state for many years and is still recieving whatever assistance she can possible get. Recently, we needed to obtain the boys birth certs. Long story short, my husband finds out that his name is not on the 16 yr old bc. Fathers info is empty. I have alot of questions, one being that the son has his last name. Is that even legal? How did he end up paying child support all these years without being on the bc? And if paternity is warrented, is the state liable for paying for it? thank you for any info you can give me.

aaron · #2 07-25-2007, 07:57 AM

If he was ordered by a court to pay child support and never contested his paternity, the court would have had no reason to question paternity. Further, the absence of his name from the birth certificate is not in any sense evidence that he is not the child's father.

marygon · #3 07-25-2007, 08:07 AM

understandable, what about the last name and case of paternity? thanks for your input

marygon · #4 07-25-2007, 10:48 AM

hello. I sent a message before, but i had other questions. My husband found out recently that his name in not on his 16 yr olds bc. I got the answer about child support but want to know if its legal for the child to have the last name or should he have the mothers last name since she is the only one on the bc? Also, if my husband questions paternity, would the state step in and pay for the test? we live in connecticut, he and the mother were never married. thanks

aaron · #5 07-25-2007, 11:04 AM

Why wouldn't it be legal for the mother to give the child his father's last name?

If your husband wants a paternity test, he should reasonably expect to have to pay for the test.

Baystategirl · #6 07-25-2007, 03:20 PM

Quoting marygon

hello. I sent a message before, but i had other questions. My husband found out recently that his name in not on his 16 yr olds bc. I got the answer about child support but want to know if its legal for the child to have the last name or should he have the mothers last name since she is the only one on the bc? Also, if my husband questions paternity, would the state step in and pay for the test? we live in connecticut, he and the mother were never married. thanks

A mother can name her child whatever she wants to name him. She could have named the child Big Bird Jr. ...

After 16 years there is no chance that your hubby will be able to disestablish paternity. He could do a DNA test, but he will have to foot the bill and figure out a way to not psychology harm his son in the process.

marygon · #7 07-25-2007, 03:58 PM

Thank you for your explanation. We both are very upset at the fact that his name is not on the bc. He also has a 17 yr old with the same mother and his name is on his, which makes it a little questionable. But we dont want to hurt his son in any way.. We just weren't sure about the legalities of the name situation. As far as paternity, he just figured for alot of different reasons it would be in the best interest of even the child to know if he is actually the biological father. After 16 years, he is obviously been and always will be "dad" to him.. This just came as a big shock to all. well thanks again for your input.