VOLUNTARY PATERNITY (PARENTAGE) ACKNOWLEDGMENT AGREEMENT
(State of Connecticut)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is intended for use by Connecticut‐licensed practitioners. It does not replace the official Connecticut “Acknowledgment of Parentage” form (JD-FM-151) that must be filed with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Attach a completed state form as Schedule A and file it as required by Conn. Gen. Stat. Title 46b. This agreement supplements that filing by addressing additional rights, duties, and risk-allocation items that are not covered by the statutory form.]
DOCUMENT HEADER
-
Parties
1.1 “[Mother]”: [Full Legal Name of Mother], residing at [Address].
1.2 “[Father]”: [Full Legal Name of Alleged Father], residing at [Address].
1.3 “[Child]”: [Full Name of Child], born on [Date of Birth], in [City/Town], Connecticut.
1.4 Mother and Father are collectively referred to as the “Parents.” -
Effective Date
This Agreement is effective as of [Effective Date] (“Effective Date”). -
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut applicable to parentage matters (“State Paternity Law”). Exclusive jurisdiction and venue lie with the Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division (“State Family Court”). -
Consideration
The mutual covenants herein, and the Parents’ desire to establish legal parentage and provide for the Child’s welfare, constitute sufficient consideration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Risk Allocation
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
- Schedule A – State Acknowledgment of Parentage Form (Attach)
1. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below. Any term not defined herein has the meaning given under applicable State Paternity Law.
1.1 “Acknowledgment” means the voluntary establishment of parentage pursuant to State Paternity Law and 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(5).
1.2 “Child Support” means the periodic financial obligation calculated under the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines, as amended.
1.3 “Genetic Testing” means DNA testing performed by an AABB-accredited laboratory to determine biological parentage.
1.4 “Guidelines” means the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines in effect on the date Child Support is calculated.
1.5 “Rescission Period” means the sixty (60) days following the latest signature on Schedule A or the date of any court proceeding relating to the Child within that period, whichever occurs first.
2. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
2.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment
(a) The Parents shall complete, sign, and notarize the State Acknowledgment of Parentage form, attached as Schedule A, contemporaneously with this Agreement.
(b) Upon filing, the Acknowledgment shall have the force and effect of a judicial order establishing parentage.
2.2 Genetic Testing Opportunity
(a) Each Parent acknowledges that he or she has been informed of the right to Genetic Testing before signing the Acknowledgment.
(b) Either Parent may request Genetic Testing prior to execution; costs shall be shared equally unless reallocated by court order.
(c) If Genetic Testing excludes Father as the biological parent, this Agreement and the Acknowledgment are void ab initio.
2.3 Rescission
Either Parent may rescind the Acknowledgment in writing during the Rescission Period in accordance with State Paternity Law. After the Rescission Period, the Acknowledgment may be challenged only on the limited statutory grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact and within the applicable statute of limitations.
2.4 Child Support
(a) Father shall pay Child Support in accordance with the Guidelines.
(b) Either Parent may apply to the State Family Court or the Connecticut Department of Social Services for entry of a formal Child Support order.
(c) Child Support shall be subject to periodic review and adjustment as provided by law.
2.5 Custody and Parenting Time
(a) The Parents acknowledge that this Agreement does not itself establish custody or parenting schedules.
(b) The Parents agree to confer in good faith to reach a separate parenting plan in the best interests of the Child or, failing agreement, to submit the matter to the State Family Court.
3. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
3.1 Capacity
Each Parent represents that he or she (i) is at least eighteen (18) years old and fully competent to contract, (ii) has read and understands this Agreement and Schedule A, and (iii) enters into both instruments voluntarily and without coercion.
3.2 No Conflicting Obligations
Each Parent represents that executing this Agreement does not violate any existing court order or legally binding agreement to which he or she is a party.
3.3 Complete and Accurate Information
Each Parent represents that all information provided on Schedule A is complete and accurate to the best of his or her knowledge as of the Effective Date.
3.4 Survival
The representations and warranties in this Section survive execution and remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement.
4. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
4.1 Cooperation with State Agencies
Each Parent shall timely provide all documents and information requested by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Department of Social Services, or any court-appointed guardian ad litem relating to the Child.
4.2 Health Insurance
(a) If available at reasonable cost, Father shall maintain health insurance for the Child.
(b) Mother shall cooperate in any enrollment procedures necessary to secure such coverage.
4.3 Notice of Change in Circumstances
Each Parent shall notify the other Parent in writing within ten (10) days of any material change in residence, employment, or income relevant to Child Support.
4.4 Restrictions on Relocation
Neither Parent shall permanently relocate the Child outside Connecticut without providing at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other Parent and, if required, court approval.
5. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
5.1 Events of Default
(a) Failure to pay Child Support when due.
(b) Material breach of any covenant in Section 4.
(c) Failure to comply with a final and non-appealable court order concerning the Child.
5.2 Cure Period
The non-defaulting Parent shall provide written notice specifying the default. The defaulting Parent has ten (10) days to cure monetary defaults and thirty (30) days to cure non-monetary defaults, unless a shorter period is mandated by court order.
5.3 Remedies
(a) The non-defaulting Parent may seek any remedy available under State Paternity Law, including garnishment, license suspension, contempt proceedings, and liens on property.
(b) The State Family Court retains authority to issue immediate income-withholding orders and other equitable relief.
(c) The prevailing party in any enforcement action shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
6. RISK ALLOCATION
6.1 Indemnification
No indemnification obligations are created by this Agreement.
6.2 Limitation of Liability
Each Parent’s financial liability to the other is limited to statutorily-mandated Child Support obligations, unreimbursed medical expenses for the Child, and court-awarded fees and costs.
6.3 Force Majeure
A Parent’s failure to comply with non-monetary obligations is excused during, and proportionate to, any event beyond reasonable control that renders performance impossible, provided that the affected Parent gives prompt written notice and resumes performance as soon as practicable. Child Support obligations are not suspended by force majeure.
7. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
7.1 Governing Law
Connecticut State Paternity Law governs all issues arising under this Agreement.
7.2 Forum Selection
The Parents consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division.
7.3 Arbitration
Arbitration is not available for matters governed by this Agreement.
7.4 Jury Waiver
The Parents acknowledge that actions in the State Family Court are tried to the court without a jury.
7.5 Injunctive Relief
The State Family Court may enter immediate orders to enforce Child Support, health-insurance provisions, or any other obligation affecting the Child’s best interests.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Amendments
Any amendment must (a) be in writing, (b) reference this Section, and (c) be signed by both Parents. Amendments affecting Child Support or custody require court approval.
8.2 Waiver
A failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of future enforcement. Waivers must be in writing and signed by the waiving Parent.
8.3 Assignment
No Parent may assign or delegate rights or obligations under this Agreement without the other Parent’s written consent, except that Child Support rights may be assigned by operation of law to the State of Connecticut to the extent of public assistance provided.
8.4 Successors and Assigns
This Agreement binds and inures to the benefit of the Parents’ respective heirs, personal representatives, and permitted assigns.
8.5 Severability
If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement is interpreted to effect the intent of the Parents as closely as possible and remain enforceable.
8.6 Entire Agreement
This Agreement, together with Schedule A, constitutes the entire understanding of the Parents concerning parentage acknowledgment and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements on that subject.
8.7 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed an original. Signatures delivered by electronic means (including via PDF or secure e-signature platform) are valid and binding.
9. EXECUTION BLOCK
Executed as of the Effective Date.
Mother:
[Printed Name of Mother]
Date: ________
Notary Public
State of Connecticut, County of _
Subscribed and sworn before me on ___, 20___
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____
Father:
[Printed Name of Father]
Date: ________
Notary Public
State of Connecticut, County of _
Subscribed and sworn before me on ___, 20___
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____
10. SCHEDULE A
State of Connecticut “Acknowledgment of Parentage” (Form JD-FM-151)
[Attach completed, signed, and notarized form]
[// GUIDANCE: Practitioners should (1) verify the current Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines, (2) advise clients regarding the irrevocability of the Acknowledgment after the Rescission Period, (3) ensure proper filing with vital records within the statutory deadline, and (4) consider a separate Parenting Plan addressing custody, visitation, and decision-making authority.]