Opinion ID: 2077226
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Res Judicata as to Elizabeth Godsoe

Text: [¶ 16] The doctrine of res judicata applies to parentage determinations made in divorce or parental rights judgments, whether contested or not. See Stitham v. Henderson, 2001 ME 52, ¶¶ 6-9, 768 A.2d 598, 600-01; [3] see also Dep't of Human Servs. v. Lowatchie, 569 A.2d 197, 200 (Me.1990). After the expiration of the time for appeal, relief from such judgments may be obtained only under the provisions of M.R. Civ. P. 60(b). Lowatchie, 569 A.2d at 200. The available Rule 60(b) remedies provide adequate opportunities for relief from parentage determinations resulting from fraud, mistake, or other conduct that would make the original adjudication unjust, while generally preserving the finality of parentage determinations that is important for the parents, the child, and society. [4] [¶ 17] Donald tried and failed to obtain Rule 60(b) relief from the parentage determination in his uncontested divorce from Elizabeth. We affirmed the judgment entered in the Rule 60(b) proceeding. The District Court properly determined that res judicata precludes Donald from relitigating the parentage issue with Elizabeth for a third time.