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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 12Pt. 2Ch. 3§ 7578 Challenging Parentage Declarations

§ 7578 Challenging Parentage Declarations

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 7578 Challenging Parentage Declarations

Key Takeaways

  • •If you sign a paper saying you're a parent, you can be taken to court if someone says you're not the parent.
  • •You can't stop paying child support just because someone is challenging the paper you signed, unless you have a really good reason.
  • •If you want to challenge the paper, you have to prove with evidence that what it says is wrong.
  • •If the court decides the paper is wrong, they will fix the birth certificate to match.

Example

A man signs a paper saying he is the father of a baby. Later, he finds out through a DNA test that he might not be the father, so he goes to court to challenge the paper.

The man will still have to pay child support while the court figures things out, unless he can show a really good reason why he shouldn’t. He also has to prove with evidence, like the DNA test, that he is not the father. If the court agrees with him, they will change the baby’s birth certificate.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 7578 Challenging Parentage Declarations

(a) Every signatory to a voluntary declaration of parentage shall be made a party to a proceeding to challenge the declaration. (b) By signing a voluntary declaration, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction in this state in a proceeding to challenge the declaration, effective on the filing of the declaration with the Department of Child Support Services. (c) The court shall not suspend the legal responsibilities arising from a voluntary declaration of parentage, including the duty to pay child support, during the pendency of a proceeding to challenge the voluntary declaration of parentage, unless the party challenging the declaration shows good cause. (d) A party challenging a voluntary declaration of parentage has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence. (e) If the judgment or order of the court is at variance with the child’s birth certificate, the court shall order that a new birth certificate be issued as prescribed in Article 2 (commencing with Section 102725) of Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 102 of the Health and Safety Code. (f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2020. (Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 876, Sec. 43. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2019. Section operative January 1, 2020, by its own provisions.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

voluntary declaration of parentagelegal responsibilitieschild supportburden of proofbirth certificate

Related Statutes

  • § 7575 Rescinding Parentage Declaration
  • § 3585 Child Support Agreement Severability
  • § 7571 Voluntary Parentage Declaration Process
  • § 7573.5 Voluntary Parentage Declaration Void
  • § 7576 Challenging Parentage Declarations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 7578.
View Official Source