§399.1. Dismissal of final order following judgment of paternity; time periods; procedure; effects

NOTE: Subsection A eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a judgment establishing paternity may be set aside or vacated by the adjudicated father of a child, the child, the mother of the child, or the legal representative of any of these persons. The proceeding shall be instituted by ordinary process in a court of competent jurisdiction and service shall be made upon the office of children and family services, child support enforcement section of the Department of Children and Family Services, if services are being provided by the department. The burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking to set aside or vacate the judgment of paternity. The proceeding shall be brought within a two-year period commencing with the date on which the adjudicated father knew or should have known of a judgment that established him as the father of the child or commencing with the date the adjudicated father knew or should have known of the existence of an action to adjudicate the issue of paternity, whichever is first.

NOTE: Subsection A as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

            A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a judgment establishing paternity may be set aside or vacated by the adjudicated father of a child, the child, the mother of the child, or the legal representative of any of these persons. The proceeding shall be instituted by ordinary process in a court of competent jurisdiction and service shall be made upon the office of child support, Department of Children and Family Services, if services are being provided by the department. The burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking to set aside or vacate the judgment of paternity. The proceeding shall be brought within a two-year period commencing with the date on which the adjudicated father knew or should have known of a judgment that established him as the father of the child or commencing with the date the adjudicated father knew or should have known of the existence of an action to adjudicate the issue of paternity, whichever is first.

            B. Subsection A of this Section does not apply if the child is presumed to be a child of a marriage between the mother and the legal father.

            C. If the court finds there is a substantial likelihood that the adjudicated father is not the biological father, it shall order genetic tests pursuant to R.S. 9:396. Nothing herein shall preclude the introduction of other evidence if it is not possible to conduct genetic testing.

            D. The test results certified under oath by an authorized representative of an accredited laboratory shall be filed with the court and shall be admissible on the issue of paternity in accordance with R.S. 9:397.3. If the test results show a statistical probability of paternity of ninety-nine point nine percent or greater, a rebuttable presumption of paternity shall be established. If the adjudicated father is found to be excluded by the tests, the court shall nullify the judgment of paternity.

            E. Except for good cause shown, the court shall not suspend, during the pendency of this proceeding, any legal obligations including a support obligation of the adjudicated father.

            F.(1) If a judgment of paternity is set aside, vacated, or dismissed, the court shall dismiss any obligation of child support.

            (2) A judgment dismissing an established order of support does not affect any child support payment or arrearages paid, due, or owing prior to the date the action to set aside or vacate the judgment of paternity was filed.

NOTE: Paragraphs (F)(3) and (F)(4) eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            (3) The judgment dismissing an established order of support shall be served upon the office of children and family services, child support enforcement section of the Department of Children and Family Services, if services are being provided by the department.

            (4) Neither the state of Louisiana, its officers, employees, agents, contractors, nor the office of children and family services, child support enforcement section of the Department of Children and Family Services shall be liable in any case to compensate any person for child support paid or for any other costs as a result of the judgment setting aside or vacating the judgment of paternity or support entered in accordance with this Section.

NOTE: Paragraphs (F)(3) and (F)(4) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

            (3) The judgment dismissing an established order of support shall be served upon the office of child support, Department of Children and Family Services, if services are being provided by the department.

            (4) Neither the state of Louisiana, its officers, employees, agents, contractors, nor the office of child support, Department of Children and Family Services shall be liable in any case to compensate any person for child support paid or for any other costs as a result of the judgment setting aside or vacating the judgment of paternity or support entered in accordance with this Section.

            Acts 2008, No. 533, §1; Acts 2010, No. 173, §1; Acts 2012, No. 255, §2; Acts 2025, No. 477, §4, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.