Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 19-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, § 1844 (2026)

Binding effect of determination of parentage

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Determination binding; signatories and parties.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a determination of parentage is binding on:  
A. All signatories to an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage as provided in subchapter 3; and   [PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD).]
B. All parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of section 2961.   [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
[PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD).]
2.  Adjudication in divorce, annulment or legal separation proceeding or proceeding to establish parental rights.  In a proceeding for divorce, for legal separation, to annul a marriage or to establish parental rights and responsibilities, the court is deemed to have made an adjudication of the parentage of a child if the court acts under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of section 2961 and the final order:  
A. Expressly identifies a child as a "child of the parties" or "issue of the marriage" or by similar words indicates that the parties are the parents of the child; or   [PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).]
B. Provides for support of the child by the parent or parents.   [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
[PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).]
3.  Determination a defense.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a determination of parentage may be a defense in a subsequent proceeding seeking to adjudicate parentage by an individual who was not a party to the earlier proceeding.  
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
4.  Challenge to adjudication.  A party to an adjudication of parentage may challenge the adjudication only by appeal or in a manner otherwise consistent with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure.  
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2019–2019 · leading case: In re Child of Nicholas P., 2019 ME 152 (Me. 2019).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
In re Child of Nicholas P., 2019 ME 152 (Me. 2019). · cites it 2× “§ 1842 (2018); (3) by implication, 19-A M.R.S. § 1844(2) (2018); (4) by affording full faith and credit to a determination of parentage from another state, 19-A M.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, § 1844(2) — 1 case
In re Child of Nicholas P., 2019 ME 152 (Me. 2019). “§ 1842 (2018); (3) by implication, 19-A M.R.S. § 1844(2) (2018); (4) by affording full faith and credit to a determination of parentage from another state, 19-A M.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, § 1844(4) — 1 case
In re Child of Nicholas P., 2019 ME 152 (Me. 2019). “§ 1842 (2018); (3) by implication, 19-A M.R.S. § 1844(2) (2018); (4) by affording full faith and credit to a determination of parentage from another state, 19-A M.”
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