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Articles From Joan Scott

Case law update on issues of paternity By Joan Scott Family Law, January 2012 In the recent case of In re Paternity of an Unknown Minor, the First District Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's decision and found a mother in contempt of court for refusing to comply with an order to submit herself and her one-year-old son to DNA testing on the grounds that a man other than the petitioner had previously signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.
1 comment (Most recent January 19, 2012)
Three’s a crowd: Paternity under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 By Joan Scott Family Law, May 2011 If there is any uncertainty as to the parentage of the child, the mother and putative father should consider DNA testing prior to signing the VAP following the child’s birth.
Who’s your daddy? Challenges to voluntary acknowledgments of paternity By Joan Scott Family Law, September 2010 The VAP has the full force and effect of a judgment and provides a basis for seeking child support without further proceedings to establish paternity. After the presumption of paternity created by a VAP becomes conclusive, ratification of paternity in a judicial proceedings is neither required nor permitted.
1 comment (Most recent September 11, 2010)
Practice note: Defenses to claims for unpaid child support By Joan Scott Family Law, July 2009 Practitioners should be vigilant in advising their clients who are ordered to pay child support of the obligation to seeking modification when their financial circumstances are reduced.

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