Editing Openai/6951285d-0934-8002-86e1-c274e98323d4 (section)

==== ### ====
* Who may file: The child, the mother, an alleged father, a relative caring for the child, or the Georgia Department of Human Services on behalf of the child. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Genetic testing orders: The statute authorizes courts and the Department of Human Services to order genetic testing of the mother, alleged father, and child if paternity hasn’t been established or is contested. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Exceptions: Testing cannot be undertaken if the child was adopted by the applicant or conceived by artificial insemination. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-43/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It provides the procedural authority to compel DNA testing in disputes about parentage and child support.

===== - Standards for testing: All DNA/genetic tests ordered by a court must be conducted by qualified professionals and through an accredited laboratory. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Timing: If paternity proceedings begin before a child is born, the court must order testing as soon as medically feasible after birth. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Enforcement: Orders for testing are enforceable by contempt, and refusal to submit may result in dismissal of a paternity action. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Privacy and disposal: Collected genetic material is kept confidential and destroyed within a reasonable time. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-45/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It ensures scientific credibility and fairness in DNA testing for legal purposes.

===== - Admissibility: Court-ordered genetic test results are admissible without additional authenticity proof. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Rebuttable presumption: There’s a legal presumption of paternity if DNA testing shows at least a 97% probability of paternity. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
* Overcoming presumption: This presumption can be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. FindLaw Codes<ref>{{cite web|title=FindLaw Codes|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-7-46/|publisher=FindLaw Codes|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It sets the evidentiary weight of DNA evidence in establishing biological parentage.

===== - Grounds for challenge: A man ordered to pay child support can file a motion to set aside paternity if recent DNA tests show 0% probability of paternity. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-54/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> =====
* Conditions: The court can relieve both future and past support obligations if the DNA evidence is valid and specific conditions (e.g., no adoption, no consent or estoppel) are met. Justia<ref>{{cite web|title=Justia|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-7/article-3/section-19-7-54/|publisher=law.justia.com|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>

👉 Why this statute matters: It gives a legal avenue to correct mistakes in paternity determinations, especially with new genetic evidence.