Child's Best Interest No Basis for Summary Proceeding on Paternity

Recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals:

In an action to establish paternity under Uniform Parentage Act, preliminary advisory hearing to determine whether action is in Child's best interest shall be informal, without applying law of evidence, conducted by a special master, closed to the public. Circuit Court held the hearing before Circuit Judge. Circuit Judge conducted it as an evidentiary hearing and dismissed the action. Reversed.
In the Matter of D.A.B. Alesya Beaird Litvinov, Appellant v. Paul G. Beaird, et al., Respondents; and In the Matter of D.A.B. Konstantin Litvinov, Appellant v. Paul G. Beaird, et al., Respondents. Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District