“In a case that family law experts fear could set a dangerous precedent, a Michigan teenager is suing his mother to learn the identity of his father. Family law attorneys say the issue of compelling a mother to reveal the identity of the biological father is a new area of law. And depending on how the Michigan judge rules in the case, they say, courts nationally could see a new flood of lawsuits of children suing their parents.” (Tresa Baldas, National Law Journal, Aug. 11).
“Teen Sues Mother for ID of Father”
“In a case that family law experts fear could set a dangerous precedent, a Michigan teenager is suing his mother to learn the identity of his father. Family law attorneys say the issue of compelling a mother to reveal the identity of the biological father is a new area of law. And depending on how […]
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“You are opening the floodgates of litigation,” – I didn’t know those gates were closed?
Only family law attorneys would assume this will unleashe a rash of lawsuits as opposed to, say, a rash of honest discussion between parents and children.
Well, one has to look at the dynamic effects. Creating a legal right to force a parent to reveal an identity will probably not lead to lawsuits so much as unpleasant discussions where a parent is forced to reveal information they did not want to reveal. There is also a danger of parents using their children to force the disclosure of information that otherwise wouldn’t be disclosed.
Regardless, this kind of policy decision should be made by a legislature, rather than a court.
“Only family law attorneys…”
Judging by the track rcord of this country (and family law in particular), only a hopeless optimist would think otherwise.
(And no, I’m not an attorney.)