Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Child born out of wedlock.

I have a child that is 4yrs old. When she was born I joined the military to get some skills in order to make money to support her. The mother cheated on me and had a baby that looks almost identical when comparing baby pictures. For that reason I would like to get a paternity test to see if she is mine. The big problem is that I can't talk to the mother without her arguing with me. I am currently paying two hundred dollars a month that is not court ordered. One time she tried to take me to court when I was in the military and she told her attorney that I never gave her a dime. I then went to NavyFederal to get the canceled checks and they had them all. I sent them to her attorney and she suddenly dropped the case. If she is not dishonest then I don't know what is. I hardly ever get to see my supposed daughter.The mother claims that she works seven days a week. I just spoke to her recently and she has another new boyfriend and I know for a fact that is why I don't see my supposed daughter. It seems strange that she accepts two hundred dollars a month without trying to take me to court to get more. Could you tell me what I need to do to take a paternity test? Or, could you tell me what I can do to avoid being scammed by the mother.


Asked on 10/29/00, 9:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carolyn Press Chung & Press. P.C.

Re: Child born out of wedlock.

You could file a case in the Circuit Court to establish paternity. Or, if you believe the child is not yours, you could stop paying the voluntary child support. If the mother does not then file for child support, you can almost certainly assume the child is not yours. You will of course be giving up any claim you might otherwise have to a visitation right. If the mother does file a claim for child support, you can then file answer denying paternity, and a blood test will be ordered. If the result indicates that you are the father, you will be ordered to pay child support based on your income and the mother's income, and you will also be ordered to pay the cost of the paterity test. If the result indicates that you are not the father, the court will dismiss the claim for child support and that will be the end of the issue.

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Answered on 11/16/00, 3:35 pm


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