Charlotte, NC asked in Child Support and Civil Litigation for North Carolina

Q: Why was my court ordered child support and paternity test not enough for me to inherit from my dad in North Carolin?

Why couldn't I inherit my predeceased fathers share of his mothers estate. It may now be to late to do anything but I still would like to know?

1 Lawyer Answer
Melissa Averett
Melissa Averett
Answered
  • Chapel Hill, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: Because your father evidently did not file to legitimate you, and did not include you in a will. Establishing paternity and recognizing a child as a legitimate heir are two different legal processes. Filing an action to legitimate a child establishes paternity, but establishing paternity does not legitimate a child. Here is an article on the subject. https://civil.sog.unc.edu/legitimation-versus-paternity-whats-the-difference/

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.