Section 7. Actions under this chapter shall be civil actions. The IV–D agency, as set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A, may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish paternity. In actions in which custody or visitation are contested, court may appoint counsel to represent either party whenever the interests of justice require.
The burden of proof in proceedings under this chapter to establish paternity shall be by clear and convincing evidence.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title III - Domestic Relations
Chapter 209c - Children Born Out of Wedlock
Section 1 - Declaration of Purpose; Definition; Responsibility for Support
Section 6 - Presumption of Paternity; Mandatory Joinder
Section 7 - Representation in Paternity Actions; Appointment of Counsel; Burden of Proof
Section 8 - Judgment of Paternity; Age of Father; Notice
Section 10 - Award of Custody; Criteria
Section 12 - Trial; Exclusion of Public
Section 13 - Inspection of Documents; Copies; Segregation of Records
Section 14 - Complaints Brought Prior to Birth
Section 17 - Genetic Marker Tests; Affidavit; Refusal to Submit to Test; Costs
Section 18 - Judgments or Orders of Support; Enforcement
Section 19 - Judgment or Temporary Order of Support; Enforcement
Section 20 - Modification of Judgments; Jurisdiction
Section 21 - Action to Determine Mother and Child Relationship
Section 22 - Proceedings Barred Under This Chapter