Court Opinion

ID: 9569077
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:10:22.237247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:21:56.512632
License: Public Domain

AMUNDSON, Justice
(concurring specially)-
In this case, the issue of tolling the statute of limitations for paternity adjudication during the child’s minority has been raised for the first time. The majority acknowledges that tolling the statute of limitations during a child’s minority is correct. I agree.
When a child is born out of wedlock, it should not and does not lose its right to receive support of the parents. SDCL 25-8-50. This tolling issue was addressed in Payne v. P.G. Co. Dept. of Social Serv., 67 Md.App. 327, 507 A.2d 641, 646 (1986), wherein the court stated:
“The right to support is, fundamentally, a right of the child ... [the child’s] interest in the determination of his father is of primary concern, and, in this respect, he is the ultimate beneficiary of the action.” Id. 507 A.2d at 646 (citations omitted). Thus, when a paternity action is brought to obtain support for a minor child born out of wedlock, the statute of limitations applicable by analogy in equity is the three-year provision of § 5-201 of the Courts Article, but it is tolled pursuant to the provisions of § 5-201, as is the case with other causes of action that accrue to benefit of minors. (Citations omitted.)
This holding places Maryland in line with some 28 other American jurisdictions that permit such a proceeding to be brought at any time during the child’s minority. State Legislation on Child Support and Paternity, Tenn.B.J., Jan.-Feb. 1986 at 20-25. Because of this holding it is unnecessary for us to address Payne’s argument that a three-year statute of limitations, without tolling would be constitutional under (citations omitted) ...[.] Since [child] was a minor when this action was brought, the statute is tolled as to him.
Since this court has found the statute of limitations is tolled during the minor’s minority, it makes no difference whether the statute of limitations is two years, four years or six years. Therefore, this case can be decided on the merits and there is no need to address the constitutional issue. Sheehan v. United Pacific Ins. Co., 439 N.W.2d 117 (S.D.1989); Baldwin v. First Bank of the Black Hills, 362 N.W.2d 85 (S.D.1985); House of Seagram Inc. v. Assam Drug Co., 83 S.D. 320, 159 N.W.2d 210 (1968).