Department of Revenue, on Behalf of Madison T. Adams v. Owen Harris

Summary

The Florida First District Court of Appeal granted the Department of Revenue's petition for writ of certiorari and quashed an order compelling genetic testing to determine paternity. The court held that paternity was not properly placed in controversy, good cause for testing was not established, and the hearing officer lacked authority to address a contested paternity matter.

Holdings

1. Genetic testing could not properly be compelled because the child-support proceedings did not place paternity in controversy and the respondent did not establish good cause for testing.
2. The hearing officer lacked authority to address a contested paternity matter, even if paternity had been placed in controversy and good cause for testing had been shown.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the circuit court departed from the essential requirements of law by approving an order compelling genetic testing when the child-support proceedings did not properly place paternity in controversy and the respondent failed to establish good cause.
2. Whether a hearing officer had authority to address a contested paternity matter.

Disposition

writ_granted