paternity of the children has been determined legally, poten tially disrupting any stability in their family life, and destroying any confidence they may have in our legal system. In my view, even though permitted to modify a paternity order on a more liberal basis than before, “the discretion to modify or set aside otherwise final orders merely because they are entered in a paternity case is a remedy which must be exercised with the utmost caution.” Jessica G. v. Hector M., 337 Md. 388, 401, 653 A.2d 922, 929 (1995). This caution must include considering the welfare of the child. Maryland has consistently required that the best interest of the child standard be applied in matters affecting the welfare of children. See, e.g., Pangle v. Pangle, 134 Md. 166, 170, 106 A. 337, 338 (1919) (<HOLDING>); Turner v. Whisted, 327 Md. 106, 117, 607 A.2d
holding that the primary and overarching consideration in custody determination is the best interest of the child holding in a paternity action that the selection and change of the childs surname from the name chosen by the mother must be based on the trial courts determination that renaming is in the childs best interests and the record must affirmatively show such a name change is required for the welfare of the minor child holding that trial court improperly awarded custody of child to the childs stepmother and grandparents where no pleading in the case was directed at such relief and the childs mother had no notice that the issue would be considered recognizing that irrespective of the outcome of the title 9 hearing the court had the authority under njsa 304012 to retain custody of the child because the childs health and welfare would be at risk if returned to the home holding that the primary concern in deciding child custody cases is promoting the childs highest welfare