I have another question..

State of Michigan, no court ordered child support or any other court order in existence. Father is not listed on the birth record of the child. Father has been actively involved with child since birth (visitation/support etc). Father and Mother want the birth record of the child updated to reflect the fathers name along with custody, visitation and support to be legal and arranged by themselves (parents) without friend of the court involvement. This stems from a health issue of the child where the father couldn't consent to surgery because he was not listed as father of the child and couldn't prove it. Mother had to be contacted in this emergency. Mother receives Medicaid insurance (state insurance) for the child.

Can this be legally done without state involvement? Regarding money, the Father is paying support based off the state guidelines using income of the parents. We know that in MI, parents can opt out of FOC involvement regarding payments of support, and can decide custody, visitation and the like if they agree and it would be filed with the court, such as cases of divorce, however, these parents were never married.

If this can be done, can/do the parents hire an attorney to draw up the legal document and file with court? Concerns are that the state will step in and order that the support be re-paid from birth and neither parent wants that nor do they want the court to determine visitation, custody and all matters that involve their son.

Appreciate the help!

The State very well may order that any State paid expenses by reimbursed to the State.

This is a question to be addressed by an Attorney very familiar with family law in your State and every aspect of this arrangement.

Does the mother claim the support if/when she files for any benefits?

Correction... child is on Michigans Children's Special Health Care Services. Don't know if that matters. Both parents are low income.