The presumption is in favor of legitimacy.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) The law presumes that a child born in wedlock is legitimate — the burden of proving illegitimacy falls on the party asserting it, and the standard is exacting.

Where this applies

• A child born during a marriage is presumed legitimate, and anyone claiming otherwise must bring strong evidence to overcome that presumption.
• A man claims a child born to a married couple is not the husband's, but the court requires clear and convincing proof before it will overturn the presumption of legitimacy.
• An inheritance dispute turns on whether a child is legitimate, and the court starts with the presumption that a child born in wedlock is the lawful offspring of the husband.