Child Support Following Death of Father

Where paternity is not disputed, a Probate Court judge has the authority to enter an initial award of child support for a non-marital child after the death of the obligor-parent, the Supreme Judicial Court decided.  The Probate judge, however, must consider, by means of a credit to the obligor-parent’s estate, Social Security survivor benefits, life insurance proceeds and any other benefits the child will receive.  L.M. v. R.L.R. 451 Mass. 682 (June 19, 2008).