Glossary
Parentage
The legal establishment of a child's father, which must usually happen before a court will address custody or support between unmarried parents.
Also called: paternity
When parents were never married to one another, legal parentage is the gateway to everything else. Until it is established, a court generally will not enter a parenting plan or a support order.
Parentage can be established by a voluntary acknowledgement signed at the hospital or afterwards, by agreement in a court proceeding, or by genetic testing where it is disputed. An acknowledgement has legal consequences and there are limits on rescinding one later, so it should not be signed casually.
Once parentage is established, the case proceeds much like any other parenting matter: a residential schedule, decision-making authority, and child support under the guidelines.
General information about Tennessee law, not legal advice. How this applies depends on the facts of your matter.
Dealing with parentage?
Tell us what is going on and we will tell you where you stand.