L.M. v. R.L.R.

Pursuant to G. L. c. 215, § 13, and Mass. R. Civ. P. 64, as amended, 423 Mass. 1410 (1996), a judge in the Probate and Family Court reserved and reported the question whether a judge of that court has authority under G. L. c. 209C, § 9,3 to enter an initial award of child support, for the benefit *683of a nonmarital4 child, after the death of the obligor, the child’s father. We transferred the report here on our own motion, and answer the question in the affirmative with the qualifications noted herein.

The background of the case is as follows. J.M.M. and L.M. had a nonmarital relationship prior…