Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 257.52 (2026)

Parent And Child Relationship Defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in sections 257.51 to 257.74, "parent and child relationship" means the legal relationship existing between a child and the child's biological or adoptive parents incident to which the law confers or imposes rights, privileges, duties, and obligations. It includes the mother and child relationship and the father and child relationship.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases, 1986–2018 · leading case: Richards v. Reiter, 796 N.W.2d 509 (Minn. 2011).
Richards v. Reiter, 796 N.W.2d 509 (Minn. 2011). · cites it 4× “pursuant to Minn.Stat. § 257.52 (2010). The case proceeded to trial in December 2009.”
Witso v. Overby, 627 N.W.2d 63 (Minn. 2001). · cites it 4× “Minn. Stat. §§ 257.52 , 257.53 (2000). The MPA provides the exclusive bases for standing to bring an action to *66 determine paternity.”
In the MATTER OF the Application of J.M.M. O/B/O Minors for a Change of Name, 890 N.W.2d 750 (Minn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “” Minn. Stat. § 257.52 (emphasis added). With respect to fathers, the parentage act *755 provides that a parent-child relationship exists between a biological father and a child if the biological father can satisfy any of the criteria in sections 257.”
Spaeth v. Warren, 478 N.W.2d 319 (Minn. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 4× “However, the parentage act specifically requires the child to be made a party whenever: an action to declare the existence of the father and child relationship is brought by a man presumed to be the father * * * or a man who alleges to be the father, and the mother of the child…”
Pitkin v. Gross, 385 N.W.2d 367 (Minn. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 4× “" Minn.Stat. §§ 257.52, 257.53 (1984). Thus, as to the rights and duties of parents and their children, the legislature has determined that there are not illegitimate children in Minnesota.”
Wilson v. Speer, 499 N.W.2d 850 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 4× “See Minn.Stat. § 257.52 (1990) (establishing the parent and child relationship confers a legal relationship between the two and "confers or imposes rights, privileges, duties, and obligations").”
In Re the Welfare of C.M.G., 516 N.W.2d 555 (Minn. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 2× “We note that sections 257.52 and 257.54 still define parent-child relationships in a biologically restrictive (and circular) fashion.”
State, Douglas Cty. Ex Rel. Ward v. Carlson, 409 N.W.2d 490 (Minn. 1987). · cites it 2× “Minn.Stat. § 257.52 (1986). Noticeably absent from the Parentage Act are such archaic terms as "legitimate" and "illegitimate.”
Rutanen v. Olson, 475 N.W.2d 100 (Minn. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “34 and paternity has been established under [Minn.Stat. §§ 257.52 to 257.74].” Minn.Stat.”
R.B. v. C.S., 536 N.W.2d 634 (Minn. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “A has an adjudicated father who is her father in the eyes of the law, Minn.Stat. §§ 257.52, 257.54, and that adjudication of paternity is determinative.”
A. S. v. K. C.-w. (in Re C. F. N.), 923 N.W.2d 325 (Minn. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “See Minn. Stat. §§ 257.52 , .55, .57, .60. Under the Parentage Act, the biological mother or a man presumed or alleged to be the father may bring an action, subject to certain time limits, to determine the existence of the father-child or mother-child relationship.”
State v. Niska, 499 N.W.2d 820 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 2× “See Minn.Stat. § 257.52 (1990) (definition of parent/child relationship); State v.”
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