Section 7612 Of Chapter 2. Establishing Parent And Child Relationship From California Family Law Code >> Division 12. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2.
7612
. (a) Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section
7540) and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 7570) of Part 2 or in
Section 20102, a presumption under Section 7611 is a rebuttable
presumption affecting the burden of proof and may be rebutted in an
appropriate action only by clear and convincing evidence.
(b) If two or more presumptions arise under Section 7610 or 7611
that conflict with each other, or if a presumption under Section 7611
conflicts with a claim pursuant to Section 7610, the presumption
which on the facts is founded on the weightier considerations of
policy and logic controls.
(c) In an appropriate action, a court may find that more than two
persons with a claim to parentage under this division are parents if
the court finds that recognizing only two parents would be
detrimental to the child. In determining detriment to the child, the
court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited
to, the harm of removing the child from a stable placement with a
parent who has fulfilled the child's physical needs and the child's
psychological needs for care and affection, and who has assumed that
role for a substantial period of time. A finding of detriment to the
child does not require a finding of unfitness of any of the parents
or persons with a claim to parentage.
(d) Unless a court orders otherwise after making the determination
specified in subdivision (c), a presumption under Section 7611 is
rebutted by a judgment establishing parentage of the child by another
person.
(e) Within two years of the execution of a voluntary declaration
of paternity, a person who is presumed to be a parent under Section
7611 may file a petition pursuant to Section 7630 to set aside a
voluntary declaration of paternity. The court's ruling on the
petition to set aside the voluntary declaration of paternity shall be
made taking into account the validity of the voluntary declaration
of paternity, and the best interests of the child based upon the
court's consideration of the factors set forth in subdivision (b) of
Section 7575, as well as the best interests of the child based upon
the nature, duration, and quality of the petitioning party's
relationship with the child and the benefit or detriment to the child
of continuing that relationship. In the event of any conflict
between the presumption under Section 7611 and the voluntary
declaration of paternity, the weightier considerations of policy and
logic shall control.
(f) A voluntary declaration of paternity is invalid if, at the
time the declaration was signed, any of the following conditions
exist:
(1) The child already had a presumed parent under Section 7540.
(2) The child already had a presumed parent under subdivision (a),
(b), or (c) of Section 7611.
(3) The man signing the declaration is a sperm donor, consistent
with subdivision (b) of Section 7613.
(g) A person's offer or refusal to sign a voluntary declaration of
paternity may be considered as a factor, but shall not be
determinative, as to the issue of legal parentage in any proceedings
regarding the establishment or termination of parental rights.