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Family Proceedings Act 1980

Children - Determination of paternity

50: Power of Family Court to make paternity orders

You could also call this:

"How the Family Court helps figure out who a child's parent is"

Illustration for Family Proceedings Act 1980

You can apply to the Family Court for a paternity order to find out who a child's parent is. The Family Court will hear and decide your application. The High Court can still decide who a child's parent is under other laws.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM40447.

Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parentingCrime and justice > Courts and legal help
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49: Time limit on applications for paternity orders, or

"Time limit for finding out who a child's father is"

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51: Paternity orders, or

"Finding out who a child's father is through a court order"

Part 5Children
Determination of paternity

50Power of Family Court to make paternity orders

  1. Every application for a paternity order in respect of a child shall be heard and determined in the Family Court.

  2. Nothing in subsection (1) or in sections 47, 48, 49, 51, or 52 shall limit the jurisdiction of the High Court to determine the paternity of a child under any other enactment or rule of law.

Notes
  • Section 50(1): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).