Section 1-102 – Definitions
Section 1–102. Definitions. In this chapter: (1) ”Child”, an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual’s parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent. (2) ”Child support […]
Section 12 – Trial; Exclusion of Public
Section 12. In actions under this chapter, the trial shall be by the court without a jury. In an action to establish paternity, the court shall, upon request of any party, exclude the general public from the room where the trial is held and may admit only persons directly interested in the case, including officers […]
Section 1-103 – Tribunals and Support Enforcement Agency of the Commonwealth
Section 1–103. Tribunals and support enforcement agency of the commonwealth. (a) The probate and family court, the district court and the Boston municipal court departments of the trial court are the tribunals of the commonwealth. (b) The department of revenue is the support enforcement agency of the commonwealth.
Section 13 – Inspection of Documents; Copies; Segregation of Records
Section 13. In an action to establish paternity or in which paternity of a child is an issue, all complaints, pleadings, papers, documents or reports filed in connection therewith, docket entries in the permanent docket and record books shall be segregated and unavailable for inspection only if the judge of the court where such records […]
Section 1-104 – Remedies Cumulative
Section 1–104. Remedies cumulative. (a) Remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law or the recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity. (b) This chapter does not: (1) provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the […]
Section 14 – Complaints Brought Prior to Birth
Section 14. An action to establish paternity of a child may be instituted during pregnancy of the mother but shall only be filed by the mother or her representative or by the IV–D agency as set forth in chapter 119A on behalf of the mother. In the case of any complaint brought prior to the […]
Section 2-208 – Child Support Orders for 2 or More Obligees
Section 2–208. Child support orders for 2 or more obligees. In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of 2 or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least 1 of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or […]
Section 15 – Temporary Orders; Enforcement; Information Required to Be Given to Petitioner; Domestic Violence Record Search
Section 15. At any time pursuant to an action under this chapter, the court may upon motion of any party or on its own motion issue a temporary order or final judgment including a vacate, restraining or no-contact order to protect a party or child. Any such order or judgment, including a custody provision if […]
Section 16 – Competency to Testify; Refusal to Testify; Costs of Tests; Admissibility of Evidence; Failure of Party to Attend; Testimony by Telephone or Affidavit
Section 16. (a) Both the plaintiff and the defendant are competent to testify in proceedings hereunder. (b) Upon refusal of a witness, including a party, to testify under oath and produce evidence, the court may order such witness or party to testify under oath and produce evidence concerning all relevant facts. If a witness or […]
Section 17 – Genetic Marker Tests; Affidavit; Refusal to Submit to Test; Costs
Section 17. In an action under this chapter to establish paternity of a child born out of wedlock, the court shall, on motion of a party and upon a proper showing except as provided in this section, order the mother, the child and the putative father to submit to one or more genetic marker tests […]