(a) Except for a proceeding brought by a child in his or her own right under the provisions of subdivision 24-101(e)(7), a proceeding for the establishment of the paternity of a child shall be brought prior to such child's eighteenth birthday.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 48-24-102

  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

(b) A proceeding to establish paternity under the provisions of this article may be brought by or on behalf of a child notwithstanding the fact that, prior to July 1, 1986, an action to establish paternity may have been barred by a prior statute of limitations set forth in this code or otherwise provided for by law.

(c) A proceeding to establish paternity under the provisions of this article may be brought for any child who was not yet eighteen years of age on August 16, 1984, regardless of the current age.

(d) A proceeding to establish paternity under the provisions of this article may be brought for any child who was not yet eighteen years of age on August 16, 1984, and for whom a paternity action was brought but dismissed because a statute of limitations of less than eighteen years was then in effect.

(e) Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, when a husband and wife or former husband and wife, in an action for divorce or an action to obtain a support order, have litigated the issue of the paternity of a child conceived during their marriage to the end that the husband has been adjudged not to be the father of such child, such prior adjudication of the issue of paternity between the husband and the wife shall not preclude the mother of such child from bringing a proceeding against another person to establish paternity under the provisions of this article.