PATERNITY SUIT

paternity suit. A court proceeding to determine whether a person is the father of a child (esp. one born out of wedlock), usu. initiated by the mother in an effort to obtain child support. — Also termed paternity action; parentage action; bastardy proceeding; bastardy process. [Cases: Children Out-of-Wedlock 30. C.J.S. Children Out-of-Wedlock §§ 46, 49, […]