Paternity describes the state or condition of a man who is the biological father of a child who was conceived while he and the child's mother were not married to each other. In order to secure the rights to parenthood, (Child Custody, visitation and to have a say in the child's development) or for the mother to obtain Child Support, either party may file a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship of a child. Once paternity is established, the court will make decisions on the issues of Child Custody, Child Support, and visitation.

If the parties are able, at any time during the action, to reach an agreement with respect to the resolution of these issues, their agreement will result in an uncontested Stipulated Judgment of Paternity. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, then the court will resolve the parties' differences at a trial, and will issue a Court Judgment of Paternity if the man is the biological father.