Can an illegitimate child receive settlement from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a widow and her 2 children?
If the child can prove paternity, the child becomes a necessary party to the wrongful death action; if you're the child and you have that proof, you need an attorney, to get you into the case and protect your interests. There is no difference, under New Jersey law, between a child born in wedlock and one born outside a marriage, for purposes of inheritance or survivors' rights.
The problem, of course, is that if paternity hasn't already been established, it becomes very difficult to do that after the father's death.

Are you a lawyer?
![]() |