§403.  Mother's contestation action; procedure

A.  The mother of the child is the proper party plaintiff and her former husband and present husband are proper party defendants in the contestation action provided for in the Civil Code.

B.  The hearing may be closed to the public.

C.(1)  A judgment rendered in favor of the mother terminates existing child custody and visitation orders. However, the former husband in extraordinary circumstances may be granted reasonable visitation if the court finds it is in the best interest of the child in accordance with the Civil Code.

(2)  A judgment rendered in favor of the mother terminates the obligation of the former husband to pay child support and revokes any court order enforcing that obligation.

(3)  A judgment does not affect any child support payment or arrearages paid, due, or owing prior to the date the contestation action was filed.

D.  An appeal from a judgment in the contestation action may only be taken  within thirty days from the applicable date in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Article 2087(A).  The appeal shall suspend the execution of the judgment.

Acts 2006, No. 344, §4, eff. June 13, 2006.