VOLUNTARY PATERNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PARENTING AGREEMENT

(State of Missouri)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use in Missouri only. Remove all bracketed guidance before execution and tailor bracketed placeholders to the specific matter.]

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// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
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I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties
V. Covenants & Restrictions
VI. Default & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block

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// I. DOCUMENT HEADER //
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1.1 Title. Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment & Parenting Agreement (the “Agreement”).
1.2 Parties.
(a) “[MOTHER NAME],” an individual residing at [MOTHER ADDRESS] (“Mother”); and
(b) “[FATHER NAME],” an individual residing at [FATHER ADDRESS] (“Father”).
1.3 Child. The minor child who is the subject of this Agreement:
• Full Name: [CHILD NAME]
• Date of Birth: [DOB]
• Place of Birth: [PLACE OF BIRTH] (“Child”)
1.4 Effective Date. This Agreement is effective as of [EFFECTIVE DATE] (“Effective Date”).
1.5 Governing Jurisdiction. State of Missouri; venue exclusively in the Family Court Division of the [_] Circuit Court (the “Court”).

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// II. DEFINITIONS //
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For ease of reference, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below. Terms defined herein apply equally to singular and plural forms.

“Acknowledgment” means the Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity executed pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. § [PLACEHOLDER] and filed with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.

“Child Support Guidelines” means the Missouri child support formula and schedules currently promulgated under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88 (“Form 14”).

“Genetic Testing” means DNA parentage testing performed by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (“AABB”) or successor accrediting body.

“Rescission Period” means the sixty-(60)-day statutory window following execution of an Acknowledgment during which either signatory may rescind the Acknowledgment without court order.

“Support Obligation” means Father’s financial obligations for the Child determined in accordance with Form 14 and any subsequent court orders.

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// III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS //
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3.1 Establishment of Paternity.
(a) Father hereby affirms under penalty of perjury that he is the biological parent of the Child.
(b) Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall execute the Acknowledgment before a notary public and authorize its filing with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.
(c) Upon filing, the Acknowledgment shall have the same force and effect as a judicial order of paternity pursuant to applicable Missouri law.

3.2 Genetic Testing.
(a) Voluntary Testing. Either Party may, at or prior to signing the Acknowledgment, request Genetic Testing at that Party’s sole cost.
(b) Post-Execution Challenge. After expiration of the Rescission Period, paternity may be challenged only upon a showing of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, supported by Genetic Testing results, and only through the Court.

3.3 Child Support.
(a) Initial Calculation. Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, the Parties shall complete a Form 14 worksheet and submit it to the Court or the Missouri Family Support Division, as applicable.
(b) Payments. Father shall pay provisional child support of $[AMOUNT] per month commencing on [DATE] and continuing until an official support order is entered.
(c) Adjustment. Support shall automatically adjust to conform to any subsequent court order. No provision of this Agreement waives or limits the Child’s right to adequate support.

3.4 Health Insurance & Uninsured Expenses.
(a) Father shall maintain comprehensive health insurance for the Child if available through Father’s employment at a cost not exceeding [PERCENT]% of Father’s net monthly income.
(b) Uninsured medical, dental, vision, and prescription expenses shall be allocated [PERCENT]% Mother / [PERCENT]% Father, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

3.5 Custody & Parenting Time.
[// GUIDANCE: Insert detailed custody/visitation plan or cross-reference a separate Parenting Plan, keeping MO Supreme Court Rule 88 requirements in mind.]

3.6 Tax Matters.
The Parties shall allocate the federal dependency exemption for the Child as follows: [DESCRIPTION]. Such allocation is subject to IRS Form 8332 compliance and any conflicting court order.

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// IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES //
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4.1 Mutual Representations. Each Party represents and warrants to the other that:
(a) Capacity. He or she is at least eighteen (18) years old and legally competent to execute this Agreement.
(b) No Coercion. Execution is voluntary and not induced by fraud, duress, or undue influence.
(c) Accuracy of Information. All factual statements herein are true and complete to the best of that Party’s knowledge and belief.

4.2 Survival. All representations and warranties survive execution and filing of the Acknowledgment for the maximum period allowed by law.

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// V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS //
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5.1 Cooperation. Each Party shall execute and deliver all instruments and take all actions reasonably necessary to effectuate this Agreement, including, without limitation, completion of any forms required by the Missouri Family Support Division.

5.2 Notice Obligations.
(a) Change of Address. Each Party shall provide the other and the Court written notice of any change of physical or electronic address within ten (10) days.
(b) Intent to Relocate. Any intended relocation of the Child is subject to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.377 and must be noticed accordingly.

5.3 Non-Interference. Neither Party shall interfere with the other’s lawful parenting time nor disparage the other Party in the presence of the Child.

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// VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES //
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6.1 Events of Default. The following constitute an “Event of Default”:
(a) Failure to make any required Support Obligation payment within fifteen (15) days of due date;
(b) Material breach of any covenant under Section 5;
(c) Violation of any court order regarding custody or support.

6.2 Cure Period. The defaulting Party has ten (10) days after receipt of written notice to cure a monetary default and thirty (30) days to cure a non-monetary default, unless a shorter period is mandated by law.

6.3 Remedies. Upon uncured default, the non-defaulting Party may pursue any remedy available at law or in equity, including but not limited to:
(a) Income withholding or garnishment;
(b) Contempt proceedings;
(c) Interception of tax refunds;
(d) Suspension of licenses as allowed by state law;
(e) Recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

6.4 Cumulative Rights. Rights and remedies are cumulative and may be exercised concurrently or successively.

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// VII. RISK ALLOCATION //
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7.1 Limitation of Liability. Except as expressly required by Missouri law regarding child support and related obligations, no Party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, or punitive damages arising out of this Agreement.

7.2 Force Majeure. A Party’s temporary non-performance caused by events beyond that Party’s reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, military deployment) shall not constitute a default, provided that Party gives prompt written notice and resumes performance as soon as practicable.

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// VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION //
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8.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and all related disputes are governed by the substantive and procedural laws of the State of Missouri without regard to conflicts-of-law principles.

8.2 Exclusive Forum. The Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Family Court Division of the [_] Circuit Court for all proceedings involving this Agreement, the Acknowledgment, or the Child.

8.3 Jury Trial Waiver. To the extent a jury trial could otherwise be available, the Parties knowingly and voluntarily waive such right in favor of bench adjudication in the Family Court.

8.4 Injunctive Relief. Nothing herein limits either Party’s right to seek immediate injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce custody or support provisions.

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// IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS //
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9.1 Amendments. No amendment to this Agreement is effective unless in writing and executed by both Parties, except as may be modified by subsequent court order.

9.2 Assignment. Rights and obligations under this Agreement are personal to the Parties and may not be assigned or delegated without prior written consent of the other Party and, where required, approval of the Court.

9.3 Severability. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and the invalid provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to render it enforceable.

9.4 Entire Agreement. This document, together with any exhibits and the filed Acknowledgment, constitutes the entire understanding of the Parties concerning the subject matter and merges all prior discussions.

9.5 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each deemed an original. Signatures transmitted electronically (e.g., PDF, DocuSign) are deemed original for all purposes.

9.6 Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

9.7 Successors & Assigns. Subject to Section 9.2, this Agreement binds and benefits the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.

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// X. EXECUTION BLOCK //
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

Mother:

[MOTHER NAME]

Father:

[FATHER NAME]

STATE OF MISSOURI )
) ss.
COUNTY OF _____ )

On this _ day of _, 20__, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared ___ and ___, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix my official seal.

Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _______

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