Finding out that you’re not the biological father of a child you’ve been supporting can be a shocking and emotional experience. If you’re in this situation in Missouri, you may have legal options to change or end your child support obligations. However, acting quickly is important.
Can You Stop Child Support If You’re Not the Father?
In Missouri, you can ask the court to review your case if you believe you were mistakenly named as the father. Here’s what that process may involve:
Filing a Request to Change Paternity – If you signed a document saying you were the father, you may have up to two years to challenge it. If paternity was decided in court, you’ll need to ask a judge to reconsider the decision.
Getting a DNA Test – The court may order a DNA test to confirm whether you’re the child’s biological father. If the test proves you’re not, you can ask the court to end your child support obligation.
Stopping Future Payments – If the court agrees that you’re not the father, you may be able to stop making future payments. However, Missouri law usually does not allow refunds for payments already made, since the money was used to support the child.
Special Cases Involving Lies or Mistakes – If you were tricked or misled into believing you were the father, you might have a stronger case for stopping payments. However, you’ll need solid proof to support your claim.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Child support and paternity laws can be confusing, and courts always prioritize what’s best for the child. If you’re facing this situation, having a knowledgeable attorney by your side is crucial.
At Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, we understand how overwhelming this can be and are here to help. Our team will guide you through the process, protect your rights, and work toward the best possible outcome for you. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺.