Tenn. Supreme Court to tackle paternity fraud

The Tennessee Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could decide if a man has legal grounds to sue for being tricked into supporting a

child that is not biologically his, according to The Associated Press.

The case involves a divorced couple from Maury County. The ex-husband, Chadwick Craig, sued his former wife for fraud in 2008 after discovering that he was not the biological father of their teenage son. In the suit, Craig claimed he had married the woman, worked a job he didn't want and paid thousands in child support because he believed he was the father. In addition, Craig said he underwent a vasectomy, which he says he would not have done if he had known he did not have any biological children, reported the AP.

Craig was awarded $26,000 for child support and medical expenses. Although he was awarded $100,000 for emotional distress, the news source said the decision was struck down in appeals court.

The case may be the first time a state Supreme Court tackles the issue of whether paternity fraud is grounds for a lawsuit, according to the report.

Tennessee's highest court recently heard another case pertaining to family law. The court will soon decide on a lawsuit that could alter how alimony is awarded to divorced couples.