Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: Paternity

There is a general legal presumption that he is, and limited time to make a denial of paternity. Based on the time frames you have described that time has passed.

Re: Paternity

You asked about parental responsibility.

There are two large factors here, that the child was born in wedlock (assuming you were married at that time) and that a male accepted and acknowledged paternity. Both of these factors affirmatively prove paternity until paternity is positively disproved to the to the satisfaction of the court.

This is in the best interests of the child. In some cases the court will not act on even absolute proof without substituting the parent (i.e., replacing the putative father with the legitimate father).

A mother generally cannot seek to sever such a relationship once established but this is left to the identified father to bring a claim. Again, this is the best interest of the child. But also allows the father some control where his DNA would need to be analyzed in the case.

It's not a do it yourself matter.

Regards,