What is a default judgment in a paternity case?

A default judgment in a paternity case in Maryland is when a court decides a party’s legal rights without actually hearing the case. This usually happens when the defendant has failed to appear in court or respond to the plaintiff’s complaint – a process known as “defaulting”. As part of a paternity case, the court must decide whether the plaintiff is the legal father of a child. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the court is forced to make their ruling using only the evidence provided by the plaintiff. The default judgment is legally binding, meaning the court’s ruling must be followed unless it is appealed and overturned. If the court finds that the plaintiff is the legal father of a child, the defendant can be required to pay child support and have visitation rights. Default judgments can be overturned if the defendant can prove that the plaintiff did not follow the legal procedures correctly or that a mistake was made. A defendant must be prompt in providing their evidence, as the court is likely to maintain a prior default judgment if the defendant’s evidence is not presented in a timely fashion.

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