G. L. v. S. D.

HORSEY, Justice:

The issues raised in this appeal are (1) whether the Family Court has civil jurisdiction to hear a child support action where paternity is contested; and if so; (2) what is the standard of proof of paternity.

In an action for non-support brought by the child’s mother against the putative father, the Family Court, treating the matter as a civil proceeding, found the evidence “clearly and convincingly” to establish defendant to be the child’s father; and the Court imposed a support order upon him. On appeal, the Superior Court reversed, holding that Family Court’s only…