Lying-In Expenses Not Automatic Award in Paternity Cases

Many unwed mothers in paternity actions seek lying-in expenses from the putative father.  These expenses are related to the birth of the child.  A.C.A. 9-10-110 states that the court shall enter a judgment for lying-in expenses if they are being claimed by the mother.  However, the case below points out that the trial court may exercise its discretion in how much is to be awarded and that the financial means of the mother may be taken into account.

Freshour v. Abney, CA-06-80 (Ark. Ct. App. Jan. 17, 2007)http://courts.state.ar.us/unpublished/2007a/20070117/ca06-380.pdf