MI SB1200

Adoption proceedings are given highest priority on court dockets for earliest possible disposition, except when a paternity action is pending involving the same child, in which case the adoption is stayed until paternity is determined.

A person claiming to be the father may file a verified notice of intent to claim paternity before the child's birth with the court, which creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity and entitles him to notice of hearings involving the child's paternity or his parental rights.

If a putative father files a notice of intent to claim paternity and the birth mother does not contest it, the court shall enter an order of filiation if requested by the putative father.

A putative father's parental rights may be terminated if he submits an affirmation denying interest in custody, files a disclaimer of paternity, fails to file an intent to claim paternity after receiving notice, or fails to appear at a hearing or denies interest in custody.

A putative father who has obtained an order of filiation or established a custodial relationship with the child or provided substantial regular support cannot have his rights terminated except through proper court proceedings; the court shall use child support guidelines based on minimum wage or actual wages to determine if he provided substantial support.