A 48-year-old woman has filed a suit claiming that Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and a member of the basketball Hall of Fame, fathered her 16-year-old son. The suit requests that Jordan comply with a paternity test and, if proven to be the boy’s father, pay both child support and expenses such as medical and dental care. The suit also asks that the boy be given a new birth certificate and his surname be changed to Jordan.

The boy’s mother has asked that any trial or court hearing be closed to reporters to protect the teen’s identity. However, the teen himself allegedly posted a video to YouTube claiming that Jordan is his father and that he wants him to be involved in his life. So far, the mother does not appear to have retained an attorney in the matter.

Claims of paternity against public figures are not uncommon. Due to modern science, DNA testing could help establish paternity relatively quickly and with a strong degree of confidence. When a man is found to be the father of a child through DNA testing, most states require him to pay child support and other expenses retroactively.



A family law attorney may be able to assist a mother who is seeking to prove paternity or a father who is dealing with such a case. Paternity issues are very important from a legal standpoint since denying the child does not exclude a man from paying for the child’s support. A family law lawyer may be able to help parties negotiate a fair agreement for the support and upbringing of the child.