Wis. Stat. § 767.87 — WI Code / Chapter 767 / Section 767.87
Testimony and evidence relating to paternity.
Status: in_force

(1) Generally. Evidence relating to paternity, whether given at the trial or the pretrial hearing, may include, but is not limited to:

(a) Evidence of sexual intercourse between the mother and alleged father at any possible time of conception or evidence of a relationship between the mother and alleged father at any time.

(b) An expert’s opinion concerning the statistical probability of the alleged father’s paternity based upon the duration of the mother’s pregnancy.

(c) Genetic test results under s. 49.225 , 767.84 , or 885.23 .

(cm) Genetic test results under s. 48.299 (6) (e) or 938.299 (6) (e) .

(d) The statistical probability of the alleged father’s paternity based upon the genetic tests.

(e) Medical, scientific or genetic evidence relating to the alleged father’s paternity of the child based on tests performed by experts.

(f) All other evidence relevant to the issue of paternity of the child, except as provided in subs. (2) , (2m) and (3) .

(1m) Birth record required. If the child was born in this state, the petitioner shall present a certified copy of the child’s birth record or a printed copy of the record from the birth database of the state registrar to the court, so that the court is aware of whether a name has been inserted on the birth record as the father of the child, at the earliest possible of the following:

(a) The initial appearance.

(b) The pretrial hearing.

(c) The trial.

(d) Prior to the entry of the judgment under s. 767.89 .

(2) Admissibility of sexual relations by mother. Testimony relating to sexual relations or possible sexual relations of the mother any time other than the possible time of conception of the child is inadmissible in evidence, unless offered by the mother.

(2m) Admissibility of certain medical and genetic information. Medical and genetic information filed with the department or the court under s. 48.425 (1) (am) or (2) is not admissible to prove the paternity of the child.

(3) Evidence of identified male not under jurisdiction. Except as provided in s. 767.84 (4) , in an action against an alleged father, evidence offered by him with respect to an identified male who is not subject to the jurisdiction of the court concerning that male’s sexual intercourse with the mother at or about the presumptive time of conception of the child is admissible in evidence only after the alleged father has undergone genetic tests and made the results available to the court.

(4) Immunity.

(a) No person may be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any testimony or evidence given relating to the paternity of the child in any paternity proceeding, except for perjury committed in giving the testimony.

(b) The immunity provided under par. (a) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085 .

(5) Refusal to testify or produce evidence. Except as provided in sub. (6) , upon refusal of any witness, including a party, to testify under oath or produce evidence, the court may order the witness to testify under oath and produce evidence concerning all relevant facts. The refusal of a witness, including a witness who has immunity under sub. (4) , to obey an order to testify or produce evidence is a contempt of the court.

(6) When mother not compelled to testify.

(a) Whenever the state brings the action to determine paternity pursuant to an assignment under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2. , 48.645 (3) , 49.19 (4) (h) 1. , or 49.45 (19) , or receipt of benefits under s. 49.148 , 49.155 , 49.157 , or 49.159 , the natural mother of the child may not be compelled to testify about the paternity of the child if it has been determined that the mother has good cause for refusing to cooperate in establishing paternity as provided in 42 USC 602 (a) (26) (B) and the federal regulations promulgated pursuant to this statute, as of July 1, 1981, and pursuant to any rules promulgated by the department which define good cause in accordance with the federal regulations, as authorized by 42 USC 602 (a) (26) (B) in effect on July 1, 1981.

(b) Nothing in par. (a) prevents the state from bringing an action to determine paternity pursuant to an assignment under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2. , 49.19 (4) (h) 1. or 49.45 (19) , or receipt of benefits under s. 49.148 , 49.155 , 49.157 or 49.159 , where evidence other than the testimony of the mother may establish the paternity of the child.

(7) Certain testimony of physician not privileged. Testimony of a physician concerning the medical circumstances of the pregnancy and the condition and characteristics of the child upon birth is not privileged.

(8) Burden of proof. The party bringing an action for the purpose of determining paternity or for the purpose of declaring the nonexistence of paternity presumed under s. 891.405 , 891.407 , or 891.41 (1) shall have the burden of proving the issues involved by clear and satisfactory preponderance of the evidence.

(9) Artificial insemination; natural father. Where a child is conceived by artificial insemination, the husband of the mother of the child at the time of the conception of the child is the natural father of the child, as provided in s. 891.40 .

(10) Record of mother’s testimony admissible. A record of the testimony of the child’s mother relating to the child’s paternity, made as provided under s. 48.299 (8) or 938.299 (8) , is admissible in evidence on the issue of paternity.

(11) Related costs admissible. Bills for services or articles related to the pregnancy, childbirth or genetic testing may be admitted into evidence and are prima facie evidence of the costs incurred for such services or articles.

History: 1979 c. 352 ; 1981 c. 20 s. 2202 (20) (m) ; 1981 c. 359 ss. 13 , 17 ; 1983 a. 447 ; 1987 a. 413 ; 1989 a. 31 , 122 , 212 ; 1993 a. 395 , 481 ; 1995 a. 27 s. 9126 (19) ; 1995 a. 77 , 100 , 275 , 289 , 404 ; 1997 a. 27 , 105 , 191 , 252 ; 1999 a. 185 ; 2005 a. 443 ss. 207 , 258 ; Stats. 2005 s. 767.87; 2007 a. 20 ; 2017 a. 334 ; 2019 a. 95 .