Art. 256. Children born outside of marriage

            A. The mother is of right the tutrix of her child born outside of marriage not acknowledged by the father, or acknowledged by him without her concurrence.

            B. After the death of the mother, if the father had not acknowledged the child prior to the mother's death, the court shall give first consideration to appointment as tutor either of her parents or siblings who survive her and accept the appointment, and secondly, the father, always taking into consideration the best interests of the child.

            C. If both parents have acknowledged their child born outside of marriage, the judge shall appoint as tutor the one by whose care the best interests of the child will be served. However, if the parents are awarded joint custody of such acknowledged child born outside of marriage, then the cotutorship of such child shall belong of right to both parents, with equal authority to act alone, on behalf of the child, and with equal privileges and responsibilities, unless modified by order of the court or by an agreement of the parents, approved by the court awarding joint custody.

            Acts 1983, No. 215, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 2016, No. 210, §1; Acts 2022, No. 121, §1, eff. May 25, 2022.