a lawsuit filed to determine the father of a child born out of wedlock (and to provide for the support of the child once paternity is determined)
If a woman starts or takes out a paternity suit, she asks a court of law to help her to prove that a particular man is the father of her child, often in order to claim financial support from him. a legal action in which a mother asks a court of law to find proof that a particular man is the father of her child, usually in order to claim financial support from him
filing a lawsuit against a man who refuses to recognize his son or daughter and to support them financially