In the Habsburg Monarchy, the civil rights of illegitimate mothers and children were primarily regulated by the Austrian Civil Code of 1811. Under this code, illegitimate children did not enjoy the same rights as legitimate ones. Nevertheless, the illegitimate father was obligated to provide for them. The extent to which this progressive principle in Austrian law was practically implemented remains uncertain. This study investigates the frequency with which illegitimate mothers pursued legal recourse when fathers refused financial responsibility for their children. Additionally, it examines how often these mothers successfully obtained paternity recognition. The paper addresses these inquiries by analysing one hundred preserved custody court files from the District Courts in Rakek, Lož, and Cerknica between 1899 and 1945, alongside other relevant civil law documents.
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