Ypsilanti, MI asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Public Benefits for Michigan

Q: The state of Michigan named a guy the father of my two kids by default. He's not on birth

certificate and they do have His Last name. I was receiving state assistance at the time. Do he have legal rights to them? No DNA test was done.No contact from with him in 7yrs, do not know where he lives. I want to change their last name? He only fathered one child after figuring out actual conception dates. Do he have legal rights to my children?

1 Lawyer Answer
John Joseph Rizzo III
John Joseph Rizzo III
Answered
  • Traverse City, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: I do not think that the state trying to get reimbursement from him for the assistance you received gives him any legal rights to the children. He could file a paternity action to get rights to the child that is his, but if he has not done that and he is not on the birth certificate, I do not see how he currently would have any rights.

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