State Ex Rel. Tucker v. Frinzi

PARKER, Justice.

Plaintiff State of North Carolina filed this action against defendant Carl Frinzi seeking to establish paternity, set child support, and recover reimbursement for public assistance paid to support the minor child. The trial court concluded that the action was barred by the doctrine of res judicata, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. For the reason discussed herein, we conclude that the doctrine of res judicata does not apply and reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.

Lea Anna Lefeavers Tucker is the mother of the minor child, bom 19 July 1976, who is the subject of this…