Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 40. FAMILY LAW

CHAPTER 6. PARENT AND CHILD

Part 1. Uniform Parentage Act

Statute Of Limitations

40-6-108. Statute of limitations. (1) An action may be commenced at any time for the purpose of declaring the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship presumed under 40-6-105(1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c).

(2) After the presumption has been rebutted, paternity of the child by another individual may be determined in the same action if the other individual has been made a party.

(3) An action to determine the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship as to a child who has no presumed father under 40-6-105:

(a) may not be brought by the child later than 2 years after the child attains the age of majority;

(b) may be brought by a state agency at any time after the first application is made under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act for services to the child and before the child attains the age of majority. This subsection is intended to apply retroactively, within the meaning of 1-2-109, to any child for whom a paternity action was barred or could have been barred by a shorter limitation period. However, in previously barred actions that are revived by this subsection, the father is not liable to the state agency for support of the child.

(4) The father's liability for a statutory debt created by the payment of public assistance is limited to the amount of assistance paid during the 2-year period preceding commencement of the action. This subsection does not limit the subsequent accrual of a statutory debt.

(5) Section 40-6-107 and this section do not extend the time within which a right of inheritance or a right to a succession may be asserted beyond the time provided by law relating to distribution and closing of decedents' estates or to the determination of heirship or otherwise.

(6) After the conclusion of an adoption proceeding under Title 42, a further action to declare the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship of the adopted child may not be commenced, except as provided in 42-2-411.

History: En. 61-308 by Sec. 8, Ch. 512, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 61-308; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 33, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 442, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 129, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 265, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 373, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 165, Ch. 480, L. 1997.