D.S.M. v. L.M. and D.M.

Historically, children born outside of wedlock were treated differently under the *1144law than those born during marriage. See, e.g., Free v. Free, 507 So.2d 930 (Ala.Civ.App.l986)(noting the harshness of intestate inheritance rights as between illegitimate and legitimate children). The Legislature adopted the Alabama Uniform Parentage Act (“AUPA”) for the purpose of promoting full equality for all children, whether born during a marriage or born out of wedlock. Ex parte Presse, 554 So.2d 406 (Ala.1989). To accomplish this purpose, the AUPA sets out a procedure for establishing paternity of a…