Legal Definitions - Uniform Parentage Act

The Uniform Parentage Act is a model statute created in 1973 to help determine parenthood and assign child support for the benefit of the child. It eliminates the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children and instead focuses on establishing a parent-child relationship.

For example, if a child is born to unmarried parents, the Uniform Parentage Act can be used to establish the legal rights and responsibilities of both parents. This includes determining custody, visitation, and child support.

The Act has been adopted in all states, which means that it provides a consistent framework for determining parentage and child support across the country.