Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: child support

Contact the County where you live and find the Prosecutor's office, division of support enforcement, or alternatively contact DSHS in the County where you live.

You cannot get support for a baby that is not yet born unless and until you deliver the child. You may be elgible for WIC food aid, and possibly medical assistance. Ask DSHS about this, they will be able to advise you about available programs.

Once the child is delivered, the hospital will want the father to sign a parentage affidavit acknowledging his financial liability for the child.

You can name the father on the birth certificate, and that makes finding him and getting a support order easier. If he will not sign the paternity affidavit, and refuses to acknowlege his paternity, then the court can require that he submit to DNA testing to ensure the correct person is financially responsible.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell