2013 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code
CHAPTER 17 - PATERNITY AND CHILD SUPPORT
SECTION 63-17-790. Establishment of paternity.

(A) The division may establish paternity of a child in the course of a negotiation conference held pursuant to Section 63-17-750 based upon an application for services or receipt of services by the custodian pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Service on the alleged father pursuant to this section must be made as provided in Section 63-17-740. In addition to the notice of financial responsibility as set forth in Section 63-17-730, the division must serve the alleged father with a notice of paternity determination which shall include:

(1) an allegation that the alleged father is the natural father of the child involved;

(2) the child's name and date of birth;

(3) the name of the child's mother and the name of the person or agency having custody of the child, if other than the mother;

(4) a statement that if the alleged father fails to timely deny the allegation of paternity, the question of paternity may be resolved against the alleged father without further notice;

(5) a statement that if the alleged father timely denies the allegation of paternity:

(a) the alleged father is subject to compulsory genetic testing and that expenses incurred may be assessed against the alleged father if he is found to be the father;

(b) a genetic test may result in a presumption of paternity; and

(c) upon receipt of the genetic test results, if the alleged father continues to deny paternity, the alleged father may request the division to refer the matter to Family Court for a determination of paternity pursuant to Section 63-17-780. An order for child support resulting from a subsequent finding of paternity is effective from the date the alleged father was served with the notice of paternity determination.

(B) The alleged father may file a written denial of paternity with the division within thirty days after service of the notice of paternity determination.

(C) When there is more than one alleged father of a child, the division may serve a notice of paternity determination on each alleged father in the same consolidated proceeding or in separate proceedings. Failure to serve notice on an alleged father does not prevent the division from serving notice on any other alleged father of the same child.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.