Illegitimacy Law & Legal Definition
In the context of family law, illegitimacy refers to a child born to parents who are not married to eachother. Illegitimacy is an outdated term, which has been replaced by the term "born out-of-wedlock". Most states have adopted uniform laws governing the responsibility of both parents to provide support and care for a child regardless of their parents' marital status and giving children born out-of-wedlock the same rights to inherit their parents' property as anyone else. States often require paternity to be established before support may be ordered. Laws vary by state, so local laws should be consulted for specific requirements in your area.
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