Opinion ID: 1927083
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: establishing paternity

Text: Therefore, the next step is to establish who is the father. Logic dictates that once a party overcomes the presumption, or the presumption does not apply, the case should be treated as if the child were born out of wedlock. The paternity of a child born out of wedlock is addressed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 4343, which permits a court to compel genetic testing [14] of any relevant party. Section 4343 states that genetic test results indicating a 99% or greater probability that the alleged father is the biological parent creates an affirmative presumption of paternity that may only be rebutted with clear and convincing evidence that the test results are unreliable. [15] 23 Pa.C.S. § 4343(c). This approach should apply equally to a determination of the paternity of a child born during wedlock where either (a) the presumption does not apply, or (b) the presumption was overcome.