767.78 Annotation
Contempt is an appropriate means to enforce child support arrearages after a child has reached majority. Griffin v. Reeve,
141 Wis. 2d 699,
416 N.W.2d 612 (1987).
767.78 Annotation
When a contemnor's liberty interests are at risk, he or she must be given an opportunity to show the court that the failure to comply with the purge conditions was not willful and intentional. V.J.H. v. C.A.B.
163 Wis. 2d 833,
472 N.W.2d 939 (Ct. App. 1991).
PATERNITY
767.80
767.80
Determination of paternity. 767.80(1)
(1)
Who may bring action or file motion. The following persons may bring an action or file a motion, including an action or motion for declaratory judgment, for the purpose of determining the paternity of a child or for the purpose of rebutting the presumption of paternity under
s. 891.405 or
891.41 (1):
767.80(1)(d)
(d) A male alleged or alleging himself to be the father of the child.
767.80(1)(e)
(e) The personal representative of a person specified under
pars. (a) to
(d) if that person has died.
767.80(1)(f)
(f) The legal or physical custodian of the child.
767.80(1)(g)
(g) This state whenever the circumstances specified in
s. 767.205 (2) (a) apply, including the delegates of the state as specified in
sub. (6).
767.80(1)(j)
(j) A parent of a person listed under
par. (b),
(c) or
(d), if the parent is liable or is potentially liable for maintenance of a child of a dependent person under
s. 49.90 (1) (a) 2.
767.80(1)(k)
(k) In conjunction with the filing of a petition for visitation with respect to the child under
s. 767.43 (3), a parent of a person who has filed a declaration of paternal interest under
s. 48.025 with respect to the child or a parent of a person who, before April 1, 1998, signed and filed a statement acknowledging paternity under
s. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. with respect to the child.
767.80(1m)
(1m) Venue. An action under this section may be brought in the county in which the child or the alleged father resides or is found or, if the father is deceased, in which proceedings for probate of his estate have been or could be commenced.
767.80(2)
(2) Certain agreements not a bar to action. Regardless of its terms, an agreement made after July 1, 1981, other than an agreement approved by the court between an alleged or presumed father and the mother or child, does not bar an action under this section. Whenever the court approves an agreement in which one of the parties agrees not to commence an action under this section, the court shall first determine whether or not the agreement is in the best interest of the child. The court shall not approve any provision waiving the right to bring an action under this section if this provision is contrary to the best interests of the child.
767.80(3)
(3) Stay if action before birth. If an action under this section is brought before the birth of the child, all proceedings shall be stayed until after the birth, except that service of process, service and filing of pleadings, the first appearance and the taking of depositions to preserve testimony may be done before the birth of the child.
767.80(4)
(4) Child as party. The child may be a party to any action under this section.
767.80(5)(a)(a) In this subsection, “any alleged father" includes any male who has engaged in sexual intercourse with the child's mother during a possible time of conception of the child.
767.80(5)(b)
(b) An action under this section may be joined with any other action for child support and is governed by the procedures specified in
s. 767.205 relating to child support, except that the title of the action shall be “In re the paternity of A.B." The petition shall state the name and date of birth of the child if born or that the mother is pregnant if the child is unborn, the name of any alleged father, whether or not an action by any of the parties to determine the paternity of the child or rebut the presumption of paternity to the child has at any time been commenced, or is pending before any court, in this state or elsewhere. If a paternity judgment has been rendered, or if a paternity action has been dismissed, the petition shall state the court that rendered the judgment or dismissed the action, and the date and the place the judgment was granted if known. The petition shall also give notice of a party's right to request a genetic test under
s. 49.225 or
767.84.
767.80(5m)
(5m) Applicable procedure; exceptions. Except as provided in
ss. 767.805,
767.863 (3),
767.85,
767.893 (2) and
(2m), and
769.401, unless a male is presumed the child's father under
s. 891.41 (1), is adjudicated the child's father either under
s. 767.89 or by final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction in another state, or has acknowledged himself to be the child's father under
s. 767.805 (1) or a substantially similar law of another state, no order or temporary order may be entered for child support, legal custody, or physical placement until the male is adjudicated the father using the procedure set forth in this subchapter, except
s. 767.805. Except as provided in
ss. 767.805,
767.85, and
769.401, the exclusive procedure for establishment of child support obligations, legal custody, or physical placement rights for a male who is not presumed the child's father under
s. 891.41 (1), adjudicated the father, or acknowledged under
s. 767.805 (1) or a substantially similar law of another state to be the father is by an action under this subchapter, except
s. 767.805, or under
s. 769.402. No person may waive the use of this procedure. If a presumption under
s. 891.41 (1) exists, a party denying paternity has the burden of rebutting the presumption.
767.80(6)
(6) Which attorney represents state. 767.80(6)(a)(a) The attorney responsible for support enforcement under
s. 59.53 (6) (a) shall provide the representation for the state as specified under
s. 767.205 (2) (a) in cases brought under this section.
767.80(6)(b)
(b) The attorney under
s. 59.53 (6) (a) is the only county attorney who may provide representation when the state delegates its authority under
sub. (1) (g).
767.80(6)(c)
(c) The attorney under
s. 59.53 (6) (a) or any state attorney acting under
par. (b) may not represent the state as specified under
s. 767.205 (2) (a) in an action under this section and at the same time act as guardian ad litem for the child or the alleged child of the party.
767.80(6m)
(6m) When action must be commenced. The attorney designated under
sub. (6) (a) shall commence an action under this section on behalf of the state within 6 months after receiving notification under
s. 69.03 (15) that no father is named on the birth certificate of a child who is a resident of the county if paternity has not been acknowledged under
s. 767.805 (1) or a substantially similar law of another state or adjudicated, except in situations under
s. 69.14 (1) (g) and
(h) and as provided by the department by rule.
767.80(6r)
(6r) Responsibilities of attorney upon referral. 767.80(6r)(a)1.
1. Give priority to matters referred under
s. 48.299 (6) (a) or
938.299 (6) (a), including priority in determining whether an action should be brought under this section and, if the determination is that such an action should be brought, priority in bringing the action and in establishing the existence or nonexistence of paternity.
767.80(6r)(a)2.
2. As soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the date on which the referral is received, notify the court that referred the matter of one of the following:
767.80(6r)(a)2.a.
a. The date on which an action has been brought under this section or the approximate date on which such an action will be brought.
767.80(6r)(a)2.b.
b. That a determination has been made that an action should not be brought under this section or, if such a determination has not been made, the approximate date on which a determination will be made as to whether such an action should be brought.
767.80(6r)(a)3.
3. If an action is brought under this section, notify the court that referred the matter as soon as possible of a judgment or order determining the existence or nonexistence of paternity.
767.80(6r)(b)
(b) The attorney designated under
sub. (6) (a) who receives a referral under
s. 48.299 (7) or
938.299 (7) may bring an action under this section on behalf of the state and may give priority to the referral and notify the referring court in the same manner as is required under
par. (a) when a matter is referred under
s. 48.299 (6) (a) or
938.299 (6) (a).
767.80(7)
(7) Clerk to provide document. The clerk of court shall provide without charge to each person bringing an action under this section, except to the state under
sub. (1) (g) or
(6m), a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department under
s. 49.22 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under
s. 767.511 (1m).
767.80 History
History: 1979 c. 352;
1981 c. 20 s.
2202 (20) (m);
1983 a. 447;
1985 a. 29;
1987 a. 27,
355,
399,
413;
1989 a. 31,
212;
1993 a. 326,
481;
1995 a. 27 s.
9126 (19);
1995 a. 68,
100,
201,
275,
404;
1997 a. 191;
1999 a. 9;
2001 a. 61;
2005 a. 443 ss.
12,
184,
241; Stats. 2005 s. 767.80;
2007 a. 97;
2009 a. 321;
2015 a. 82 s.
12.
767.80 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DCF 151, Wis. adm. code.
767.80 Annotation
Under the facts of the case, the nonbiological father was not equitably estopped from denying paternity or child support. Marriage of A. J. N. & J. M. N.
141 Wis. 2d 99,
414 N.W.2d 68 (Ct. App. 1987).
767.80 Annotation
A posthumous paternity action is allowable if it is brought by the putative father's personal representative. Le Fevre v. Schreiber,
167 Wis. 2d 733,
482 N.W.2d 904 (1992).
767.80 Annotation
A paternity action may not be used to challenge paternity previously decided in a divorce action. That paternity was not challenged in the divorce is irrelevant if it could have been litigated. Paternity of Nathan T.
174 Wis. 2d 352,
497 N.W.2d 740 (Ct. App. 1993).
767.80 Annotation
The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution did not bar a petition to determine paternity when a paternity decree of another state would have been subject to collateral attack in that state. Paternity of R.L.L.
176 Wis. 2d 224, N.W.2d (Ct. App. 1993).
767.80 Annotation
Because a child has a right to bring an independent action for paternity under sub. (1) (a), if the child was not a party to an earlier paternity action, it would be a violation of the child's due process rights to preclude the child from litigating the paternity issue. Mayonia M.M. v. Kieth N.
202 Wis. 2d 460,
551 N.W.2d 34 (Ct. App. 1996),
95-2838.
767.80 Annotation
An alleged father has a statutory right to a determination of paternity. A hearing to determine whether the child's best interests would be served by a paternity proceeding is not authorized by statute. Thomas M.P. v. Kimberly J.L.
207 Wis. 2d 388,
558 N.W.2d 897 (Ct. App. 1996),
96-0697.
767.80 Annotation
Section 893.88, limiting only an action for the establishment of paternity, does not preclude a motion for the purpose of determining paternity in a probate proceeding. DiBenedetto v. Jaskolski,
2003 WI App 70,
261 Wis. 2d 723,
661 N.W.2d 869,
01-2189.
767.80 Annotation
Construing the discretionary authority of a personal representative under sub. (1) (e) in a way that allows preventing the definitive determination of heirs would undermine the principle that property of intestate deceased persons should descend to kindred of the blood and defeat a court's responsibility under s. 863.23 that persons who are the heirs of the decedent shall be determined by the court. DiBenedetto v. Jaskolski,
2003 WI App 70,
261 Wis. 2d 723,
661 N.W.2d 869,
01-2189.
767.80 Annotation
In order for a putative biological father to have the necessary foundation for a constitutionally protected liberty interest in his putative paternity, he must have taken affirmative steps to assume his parental responsibilities for the child. Randy A. J. v. Norma I. J.
2004 WI 41,
270 Wis. 2d 384,
677 N.W.2d 630,
02-0469.
767.80 Annotation
The competing interests of finality and fairness coalesce when considering sub. (1) (h) and principles of res judicata. Res judicata and collateral estoppel are founded on principles of fundamental fairness and should not deprive a party of the opportunity to have a full and fair determination of an issue. When the record demonstrated that an adjudicated father never had an opportunity for a full and fair determination of the question of paternity, res judicata should not have barred relief. Shanee Y. v. Ronnie J.
2004 WI App 58,
271 Wis. 2d 242,
677 N.W.2d 684,
03-1228.
767.80 Annotation
Sub. (1) does not permit a man alleging he is the father to bring a paternity action for the sole purpose of establishing paternity of a stillborn so that he may bring a wrongful death action. The proper vehicle for determining parentage is a motion by the father under s. 885.23 for a determination of parentage within the pending wrongful death action. Shannon E. T. v. Alicia M. V.M.
2007 WI 29,
299 Wis. 2d 601,
728 N.W.2d 636,
05-0077.
767.80 Annotation
Sub. (1) utilizes mandatory language requiring the state to initiate a paternity action when, as provided in sub. (6m), no father's name was listed on the birth certificate. Thus, according to the clear language of this statute, the state was obligated to commence a paternity action. A presumption of paternity under s. 891.41 does not alleviate the state of its obligations under sub. (1). State v. Robin M. W.
2008 WI App 60,
310 Wis. 2d 786,
750 N.W.2d 957,
07-1181.
767.80 Annotation
The standard of review for best-interest determinations in paternity proceedings requires that the appellate court accept the circuit court's factual findings unless clearly erroneous but determine the child's best interest de novo. Douglas L. v. Arika B.
2015 WI App 80,
365 Wis. 2d 257,
872 N.W.2d 357,
14-2656.
767.803
767.803
Determination of marital children. If the father and mother of a nonmarital child enter into a lawful marriage or a marriage which appears and they believe is lawful, except where the parental rights of the mother were terminated before either of these circumstances, the child becomes a marital child, is entitled to a change in birth certificate under
s. 69.15 (3) (b), and shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of a marital child as if he or she had been born during the marriage of the parents. This section applies to all cases before, on, or after its effective date, but no estate already vested shall be divested by this section and
ss. 765.05 to
765.24 and
852.05. The children of all marriages declared void under the law are nevertheless marital children.
767.803 History
History: 1979 c. 32 ss.
48,
92 (2); Stats. 1979 s. 765.25;
1979 c. 352; Stats. 1979 s. 767.60;
1981 c. 314 s.
146;
1983 a. 447;
1985 a. 315;
2005 a. 443 s.
229; Stats. 2005 s. 767.803.
767.805
767.805
Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. 767.805(1)(1)
Conclusive determination of paternity. A statement acknowledging paternity that is on file with the state registrar under
s. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. after the last day on which a person may timely rescind the statement, as specified in
s. 69.15 (3m), is a conclusive determination, which shall be of the same effect as a judgment, of paternity.
767.805(1m)
(1m) Minor parent may not sign. A minor may not sign a statement acknowledging paternity.
767.805(2)(a)(a) A statement acknowledging paternity that is filed with the state registrar under
s. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. may be rescinded as provided in
s. 69.15 (3m) by a person who signed the statement as a parent of the child who is the subject of the statement.
767.805(2)(b)
(b) If a statement acknowledging paternity is timely rescinded as provided in
s. 69.15 (3m), a court may not enter an order specified in
sub. (4) with respect to the male who signed the statement as the father of the child unless the male is adjudicated the child's father using the procedures set forth in this subchapter, except for this section.
767.805(3)
(3) Actions when paternity acknowledged. 767.805(3)(a)(a) Unless the statement acknowledging paternity has been rescinded, an action affecting the family concerning custody, child support or physical placement rights may be brought with respect to persons who, with respect to a child, jointly signed and filed with the state registrar under
s. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. as parents of the child a statement acknowledging paternity.
767.805(3)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
s. 767.407, in an action specified in
par. (a) the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.
767.805(4)
(4) Orders when paternity acknowledged. In an action under
sub. (3) (a), if the persons who signed and filed the statement acknowledging paternity as parents of the child had notice of the hearing, the court shall make an order that contains all of the following provisions:
767.805(4)(a)
(a) Orders for the legal custody of and periods of physical placement with the child, determined in accordance with
s. 767.41.
767.805(4)(b)
(b) An order requiring either or both of the parents to contribute to the support of any child of the parties who is less than 18 years old, or any child of the parties who is less than 19 years old if the child is pursuing an accredited course of instruction leading to the acquisition of a high school diploma or its equivalent, determined in accordance with
s. 767.511.
767.805(4)(c)
(c) A determination as to which parent, if eligible, shall have the right to claim the child as an exemption for federal tax purposes under
26 USC 151 (c) (1) (B) [
26 USC 151 (c)], or as an exemption for state tax purposes under
s. 71.07 (8) (b).
767.805 Note
NOTE: The correct cross-reference is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.
767.805(4)(d)1.1. An order establishing the amount of the father's obligation to pay or contribute to the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and the child's birth. The amount established may not exceed one-half of the total actual and reasonable pregnancy and birth expenses. The order also shall specify the court's findings as to whether the father's income is at or below the poverty line established under
42 USC 9902 (2), and shall specify whether periodic payments are due on the obligation, based on the father's ability to pay or contribute to those expenses.
767.805(4)(d)2.
2. If the order does not require periodic payments because the father has no present ability to pay or contribute to the expenses, the court may modify the judgment or order at a later date to require periodic payments if the father has the ability to pay at that time.
767.805(4)(e)
(e) An order requiring either or both parties to pay or contribute to the costs of the guardian ad litem fees and other costs.
767.805(4)(f)
(f) An order requiring either party to pay or contribute to the attorney fees of the other party.
767.805(4m)(a)(a) Subject to
par. (b), liability for past support of the child shall be limited to support for the period after the day on which the petition, motion or order to show cause requesting support is filed in the action for support under
sub. (3) (a), unless a party shows, to the satisfaction of the court, all of the following:
767.805(4m)(a)1.
1. That he or she was induced to delay commencing the action by any of the following:
767.805(4m)(a)1.b.
b. Actions, promises or representations by the other party upon which the party relied.
767.805(4m)(a)2.
2. That, after the inducement ceased to operate, he or she did not unreasonably delay in commencing the action.
767.805(4m)(b)
(b) In no event may liability for past support of the child be imposed for any period before the birth of the child.
767.805(5)(a)(a) A determination of paternity that arises under this section may be voided at any time upon a motion or petition stating facts that show fraud, duress or a mistake of fact. Except for good cause shown, any orders entered under
sub. (4) shall remain in effect during the pendency of a proceeding under this paragraph.
767.805(5)(b)
(b) If a court in a proceeding under
par. (a) determines that the male is not the father of the child, the court shall vacate any order entered under
sub. (4) with respect to the male. The court or the county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) shall notify the state registrar, in the manner provided in
s. 69.15 (1) (b), to remove the male's name as the father of the child from the child's birth certificate. No paternity action may thereafter be brought against the male with respect to the child.
