Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Initially, the state would try to come after you for child support if your girlfriend then files for any welfare or state benefits. That can become a very seriously expensive proposition.

To avoid the problem, you will need to bring a paternity action to challenge your being listed as the father. It will require a DNA test to make the determination. If you are correct and you are not the father, then your name will come off the birth certificate and you are done. If you are wrong and you are the father, then you can ask for custody orders to be put in place and you'll be required to pay child support based on your income.