Córdoba Court Upheld 1996 Paternity Recognition Despite DNA Evidence

The Court of Appeals in the Civil, Commercial and Contentious Chamber (2nd Nomination) of Río Cuarto, Córdoba, rejected a man's petition to invalidate the civil act of recognizing a son in 1996. Although a genetic test proved the lack of a biological link, the majority held that the act of paternity recognition is irrevocable and can only be nullified if a full defect of will is proven at the time of signing. The judges noted that the claimant had either known or had serious reasons to suspect the absence of a biological bond when he signed the recognition and that he had allowed the situation to persist for many years without seeking clarification, thereby consolidating the state of affairs.

The minority opinion argued that the conclusive DNA evidence should lead to the annulment of the paternal link, but the majority emphasized the need to protect the child's identity and the stability of family relations, applying the doctrine of acts of one's own conduct.