Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
My boyfriend is legally separated without children. We are thinking about getting pregnant before his divorce is final. Could this adversly affect his divorce?
2 Answers from Attorneys
It should not affect his divorce. That said, I would advise you to make sure that if t the time of your child's birth you are not married to him, that you make sure his name appears on the child's birth certificate, just in case there are problems between you and he.
I know you are both happy and ga-ga over each other at this time, but time can change people and you need to be prepared, just in case. If you separate, you'll need to get custody and support orders in place right away. By having him on the birth certificate and having him sign an affidavit of paternity at the time of the birth, you will avoid the need to establish that he is the father (thereby saving lots of money) and can move right onto getting custody and support dealt with.
Sorry to be so glib, but you should know this information BEFORE you get pregnant.
Although there are no legal issues that would directly affect the divorce, I can't speak to how your boyfriend and his wife's current relationship is and how she will respond. I have had cases where it became an emotional issue and generated additional hostility, resistance and the other spouse then manufactured complications that she otherwise probably would not have.