# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 7: Representation in parentage actions; appointment of counsel; burden of proof

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S7

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 7
- **Heading:** Representation in parentage actions; appointment of counsel; burden of proof
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part II / Title III / Chapter 209C / Section 7

## Text

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 parentage. 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 parentage shall be by clear and convincing evidence.

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 parentage. 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 parentage shall be by clear and convincing evidence.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 1 Declaration of purpose; definition; responsibility for support](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 1A Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S1A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 2 Parentage; acknowledgment or adjudication; statistical information of parties; transmission to registrarr](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 3 Paternity and support actions; jurisdiction; enforcement of prior orders or judgments; juvenile court commitment proceedings; parents convicted of first degree murder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 4 Venue; service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 5 Persons entitled to maintain actions or execute voluntary acknowledgment of parentage; parties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 6 Presumption of paternity; mandatory joinder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 7 Representation in parentage actions; appointment of counsel; burden of proof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 8 Judgment of parentage; age of parents; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 9 Judgment or order for support; health insurance; financial statement; determination of amount; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 10 Award of custody; criteria](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 11 Acknowledgment of parentage; approval; parental agreements regarding custody, support and visitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 12 Trial; exclusion of public](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 13 Inspection of documents; copies; segregation of records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.