This text of Massachusetts § 7 (Representation in parentage actions; appointment of counsel; burden of proof) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
[ First paragraph effective until January 1, 2025. For text effective January 1, 2025, see below.]Section 7. Actions under this chapter shall be civil actions. The IV-D agency, as set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A, may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish paternity. In actions in which custody or visitation are contested, court may appoint counsel to represent either party whenever the interests of justice require.[ First paragraph as amended by 2024, 166, Sec. 32 effective January 1, 2025. See 2024, 166, Sec.
67.For text effective until January 1, 2025, see above.]Actions under this chapter shall be civil actions. The IV-D agency, as set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A, may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish pare
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[ First paragraph effective until January 1, 2025. For text effective January 1, 2025, see below.]Section 7. Actions under this chapter shall be civil actions. The IV-D agency, as set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A, may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish paternity. In actions in which custody or visitation are contested, court may appoint counsel to represent either party whenever the interests of justice require.[ First paragraph as amended by 2024, 166, Sec. 32 effective January 1, 2025. See 2024, 166, Sec. 67. For text effective until January 1, 2025, see above.]Actions under this chapter shall be civil actions. The IV-D agency, as set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A, may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish parentage. In actions in which custody or visitation are contested, court may appoint counsel to represent either party whenever the interests of justice require.[ Second paragraph effective until January 1, 2025. For text effective January 1, 2025, see below.]The burden of proof in proceedings under this chapter to establish paternity shall be by clear and convincing evidence.[ Second paragraph as amended by 2024, 166, Sec. 32 effective January 1, 2025. See 2024, 166, Sec. 67. For text effective until January 1, 2025, see above.]The burden of proof in proceedings under this chapter to establish parentage shall be by clear and convincing evidence.