<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="5-1010" title_number="5" title_name="Children" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Paternity Proceedings">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A complaint need not be in any particular form.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The complaint shall be written in simple, nontechnical language.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The complaint shall state the facts on which the complaint is based.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a complaint filed under this subtitle shall be supported by the oath of the mother or pregnant woman, whether or not she is a party to the paternity proceeding.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The complaint may be filed without the oath if the mother or pregnant woman:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is dead;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>refuses to file a complaint;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>refuses to disclose the identity of the father of the child;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>is mentally or physically incapable of making an oath; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>refuses to make the oath.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>If the complaint is filed without an oath under paragraph (2) of this subsection:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the complainant shall verify the fact of the pregnancy or birth; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>if the mother or pregnant woman is living, she shall be made a defendant.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the clerk of court may not receive a complaint starting paternity proceedings unless the consent of the attorney for the Administration is attached to the complaint.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The consent of the attorney for the Administration is not required if, after considering testimony or information given by affidavit, or both, the court:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>finds that the complaint is meritorious; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>rules that the consent is not required.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Except by an order of court for good cause shown, a proceeding under this subtitle may not be dismissed voluntarily without the consent of the attorney for the Administration.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
