{"data":{"id":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-1844","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"19-A M.R.S. §1844","heading":"Binding effect of determination of parentage","body":"1.  Determination binding; signatories and parties.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a determination of parentage is binding on:\nA.  All signatories to an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage as provided in subchapter 3; and\nB.  All parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of section 2961.\n2.  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:\nA.  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\nB.  Provides for support of the child by the parent or parents.\n3.  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.\n4.  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.","path":["TITLE 19-A: DOMESTIC RELATIONS","PART 3: PARENTS AND CHILDREN","CHAPTER 61: MAINE PARENTAGE ACT","SUBCHAPTER 1: SHORT TITLE, SCOPE, DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/19-A/title19-Asec1844.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:29Z","sha256":"c62e72dacf503c4f2af5972bcce83f36615aac6b688d72c2ea3cfebc8f3b37ac","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-1843","next":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-1845"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}