Can a man be held responsible for child support if paternity is not established?

In North Carolina, a man can be held financially responsible for child support if paternity is not established. This is known as "statutory" or "presumed" paternity. Under North Carolina law, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he was married to the mother at any time in the 10 months before the birth of the child. Additionally, if the man and the mother voluntarily sign an Affidavit of Parentage or Acknowledgement of Parentage, then he can also be held responsible for child support. If the mother requests child support from a man who is believed to be the father of the child, the courts may order the man to take a DNA test to determine if he is indeed the father of the child. If the DNA test reveals that the man is the father, then the court will enter a child support order. If the DNA test reveals that the man is not the father, the court will deny the support request. If paternity is not established and the man does not voluntarily sign a document declaring that he is the father, then the mother may be able to establish paternity through a court action. If the court finds the man is the father, then it will order him to pay child support. In short, a man can be held responsible for child support even if paternity is not established in North Carolina. Through the legal processes outlined above, a mother may be able to prove the man is the father and obtain a court-ordered child support obligation.

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Can a man be held responsible for child support if paternity is not established?

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