Title 45, Juvenile Justice

(a) Proceedings to establish the paternity of a child and to compel support under this chapter may be commenced by the mother, whether a minor or not, by the child’s guardian of the person, or, if the mother or the child is a public charge, by the Department of Health. (b) No pro…

Proceedings under this chapter are started by the filing of a verified petition alleging that the person named as respondent is the father of the child and requesting the Court to enter a declaration of paternity, an order of support, or any other relief that may be appropriate. …

(a) Upon filing of the petition, the Court issues a summons stating the substance of the petition and requiring the alleged father to appear at the time and place set for hearing on the petition. (b) Service of the summons is by personal service as provided in Rules 4 and 5 of th…

(a) At the hearing, the mother and alleged father are competent to testify. If the mother is married, both she and her husband may testify as to nonaccess. (b) The Court may exclude the general public from the hearing room and may admit only persons directly interested in the cas…

(a) If the Court finds the respondent is not the father of the child, it dismisses the petition. (b) If the Court finds the respondent is the father of the child, it makes an order declaring paternity. (c) (1) In a proceeding in which the Court has made an order declaring paterni…

(a) A person failing to comply with an order of the Court in connection with paternity proceedings brought under this chapter may be found in contempt of Court and dealt with accordingly. (b) The Court has authority to issue writs of execution for the collection of accrued and un…

(a) An agreement or compromise made by the mother or by some authorized person on behalf of either the mother or child concerning the support of either is binding upon the mother and child only when the court approves the agreement or compromise after determining that adequate pr…