New York Rules Same Sex Partner Has to Pay Child Support

This week in New York, the state appellate court became the first in the state to rule that people who are in a same-sex partnership may be held liable for paying child support.

The court was presiding over the case of H.M. v. E.T., a one-time lesbian couple who allegedly agreed to have a child through artificial insemination.  However, after the baby was born, the non-biological partner ended the relationship.  The biological parent then argued that her former partner should have to pay child support as she had promised to support the child.

The New York appellate court ruled that the biological parent states a viable cause for action for child support.  Prior to the recent ruling, the court noted that fathers who have denied paternity have still been ordered to pay child support if they developed a relationship with the child or had promised to support the child.

Going through a child support battle?  Contact Ellerin & Hutchinson today to speak with a Jacksonville family lawyer attorney.