Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, signed into a law a paternity bill that gives men the right to challenge a paternity ruling for two years. The new law takes affect on August 27th.
Currently, there are three ways a man can be named the legal father of a child.
1. The man is married to the mother of the child.
In this case the man is automatically presumed to be the legal father of the child. In cases where the presumed father is not the biological father, another man would need to prove paternity using DNA testing, and submit evidence in court. Then it's up to the judge to rule on the case.
2. The man signs an acknowledgment of paternity.
Usually this is completed in the hospital at the time of birth. The acknowledgment of paternity is purely voluntary. Men who are uncertain of whether they are the biological father should consider DNA paternity testing before signing the acknowledgment.
3. A court orders the man to be the putative father.
A judge can rule a man to be the legal father of a child whether or not he is the biological father.
The new Missouri Paternity law will affect all three of these situations. Anytime a man is named the father he will now have two years to challenge that ruling. If DNA testing proves he is not the father, then he will be relieved of all past and future child support payments in Missouri. Missouri joins about 30 other states to adopt the two year paternity law.
I'm not sure how I feel about the two year rule. Is it too long, or not enough time?
