Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
Paternity
My 18 yr olds girlfriend that he has lived with for 7 months is due July 9th. Since there could be a small chance the baby is not his we are unsure if he should sign anything at the hospital giving the baby his last name. Would that make him responsible for the baby and how do you request a paternity test right away to know for sure, preferably without upsetting the girlfriend?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Paternity
Signing something at the hospital does not determine what last name the child will have. Names are not determinative of parentage. If he does not sign anything the mother can name the child. If he signs an affidavit of paternity he would be legally responsible for the child, but a person may later renounce the affidavit. I (not knowing any of the parties) would not want to speculate on how somebody should go about asking a mother/girlfriend for a paternity test without upsetting her; I would hope you (or your son) know her better than I do.
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