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What if the Parents are not Married?

Produced by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Reviewed July 2023

Children are entitled be supported by their parents, whether the parents are married to each other or not. The only difference is the kind of case you would file in court to ask for child support:

  • If you are married to the child's parent, you could file a complaint for divorce or a complaint for support;
  • If you are not married to the child's parent, you could file a complaint to establish paternity or a complaint for support under Chapter 209C.

Probate and family courts have printed forms for each of these kinds of complaints.

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