State of Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement v. Harnage

Bradley D. Jesson, Chief Justice.

The appellant, Office of Child Support Enforcement (“Office”), appeals from a chancellor’s order dismissing its paternity complaint against appellee Mark Harnage. The chancellor ruled that the Office was not a “real party in interest” under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-210 (Repl. 1993), due to the fact that the Office had expended no public funds on behalf of the minor child, and thus had no standing to bring suit against Harnage. As the Office made a proper showing that it was a real party in interest under § 9-14-210(d)(2), we reverse and remand.

On July 18, 1994,…