Children born to parents not married to each other were once called illegitimate and are still defined as such under law. The law once tended to to treat illegitimate children as second class citizens partly because of the society's belief that marriage is sacrosanct. Today however illegitimate children are entitled to the same legal rights as legitimate offspring.
The following presumptions carry force of law.
1. Every person is considered legitimate until facts demonstrate otherwise.
2. Children born to a married woman are presumed to be the children of her husband and are therefore legitimate even if the child was conceived before marriage.
The following presumptions carry force of law.
1. Every person is considered legitimate until facts demonstrate otherwise.
2. Children born to a married woman are presumed to be the children of her husband and are therefore legitimate even if the child was conceived before marriage.
