Terms Used In Michigan Laws 722.1437

  • Acknowledged father: means a man who has affirmatively held himself out to be the child's father by executing an acknowledgment of parentage under the acknowledgment of parentage act, 1996 PA 305, MCL 722. See Michigan Laws 722.1433
  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Alleged father: means a man who by his actions could have fathered the child. See Michigan Laws 722.1433
  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals. See Michigan Laws 8.3l
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  (1) The mother, the acknowledged father, an alleged father, or a prosecuting attorney may file an action for revocation of an acknowledgment of parentage. An action under this section shall be filed within 3 years after the child’s birth or within 1 year after the date that the acknowledgment of parentage was signed, whichever is later. The requirement that an action be filed within 3 years after the child’s birth or within 1 year after the date the acknowledgment is signed does not apply to an action filed on or before June 12, 2013.
  (2) The prosecuting attorney and the department of human services may enter into an agreement to transfer the prosecutor’s responsibilities under this act to 1 of the following:
  (a) The friend of the court, with the approval of the chief judge of the circuit court.
  (b) An attorney employed or contracted by the county under section 1 of 1941 PA 15, MCL 49.71.
  (c) An attorney employed by, or under contract with, the department of human services.
  (3) A proceeding under this section is conducted on behalf of the state and not as the attorney for any other party.
  (4) An action for revocation under this section shall be supported by an affidavit signed by the person filing the action that states facts that constitute 1 of the following:
  (a) Mistake of fact.
  (b) Newly discovered evidence that by due diligence could not have been found before the acknowledgment was signed.
  (c) Fraud.
  (d) Misrepresentation or misconduct.
  (e) Duress in signing the acknowledgment.
  (5) If the court in an action for revocation under this section finds that an affidavit under subsection (4) is sufficient, the court shall order blood or tissue typing or DNA identification profiling as required under section 13(5). The person filing the action has the burden of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the acknowledged father is not the father of the child.
  (6) The clerk of the court shall forward a copy of an order of revocation entered under this section to the state registrar. The state registrar shall vacate the acknowledgment of parentage and may amend the birth certificate as prescribed by the order of revocation.
  (7) Whether an action for revocation under this section is brought by a complaint in an original action or by a motion in an existing action, the prosecuting attorney, an attorney appointed by the county, the friend of the court, or an attorney appointed by the court is not required to represent any party regarding the action for revocation.