Patterson v. Isom

Donald L. Corbin, Justice.

This appeal presents a conflict involving the concurrent jurisdiction of chancery and juvenile courts to hear paternity cases. The case was certified to us from the Arkansas Court of Appeals as presenting issues requiring further development or clarification of the law; hence, our jurisdiction is pursuant to Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 1-2(b)(5).

Appellant Brian Patterson and Sheila Judkins were married on June 6, 1985. One child, Brandi Patterson, was born of the marriage on May 20, 1987. On August 27, 1991, the couple was granted a divorce by the Pope County Chancery Court…