Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Establishing Paternity for out of state dad

I am an unwed mother. My child is 2 years old. I received TANF for four months of last year and my case was sent to DCS. DCS sent my case to the Prosecutor's office to establish paternity of my son. I became pregnant while attending college out of state. My son's father is from Florida and now resides there. I have his address and date of birth. The prosecuting attorney's office said that because I don't have a SSN, Florida will not cooperate. I don't understand all the legalities of trying to establish paternity and child support when the parents live in two different states. The Prosecuting Attorney's office said I should contact the father myself, when I told them I didn't think that was a good idea, they said that I should hire a private attorney. I have had no contact with the father since before my child was born. All the information I have on him has come from a mutual friend. He has tried to make no contact with me nor have I with him. Would it be be beneficial to hire a private attorney and what could they do for me that DCS cannot?


Asked on 4/13/06, 3:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Establishing Paternity for out of state dad

There is nothing that a private attorney can do for you that the county prosecutor can't do (except charge you money). The state will get interested in helping you if you apply for welfare. Doing a private paternity action would be relatively inexpensive, if it is essentially an uncontested case(no trial). If a trial was required it could cost significantly more.

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Answered on 4/13/06, 8:40 pm


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