Do I owe three years of back child support for a child I just found out about?

Full question:

If I am proven to be a father of a 3 year old that I just found out about. Do I have to pay 3 years back child support? The girl is and was married when she claims the child was concieved and put her husband on the birth certificate as the father.

  • Category: Paternity
  • Date:
  • State: New York

Answer:

The court has discretion to order payment of child support retroactively. This means you may be required to pay a reasonable amount for the child's needs from the date of birth until the order for paternity is established. The court will consider your financial situation and the child's needs when making this decision.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

A father's financial responsibility typically includes providing child support to meet the child's basic needs, such as food, clothing, and education. The amount is usually determined by state guidelines, which consider the father's income and the child's needs. If paternity is established, the father may be required to pay support from the date of birth onwards, depending on the court's ruling.