Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: Statute of Limitations/Able to get Passport

Being unable to dispute an amount with DSHS is not the same as the remedy which could be available to him in Court by asking the Court to vacate the judgment because it was based on a false assumption, works an extreme hardship, etc.

The Statute of Limitations on collection of judgments is ten years but the judgment can be extended. As it's $31K (and growing by 12% per annum) chances are DSHS will ask to have it extended.

If you cannot afford an attorney, you can write to DCS and ask for a conference board. Feeling that he should not have to pay support doesn't get you far; arguing with supporting documentation that she should have been paying him support is a far stronger position to take.

If there was a period of time where she had custody and was on TANF, then the state is entitled to recoup the funds they spent on her during that period. Getting the State to back off that demand is an uphill battle. If that's what is going on, then there really isn't any good way to fix this other than to pay it.

Your argument could be that it works a hardship on the kids, whom he has been supporting all this time.

Failing to respond to DSHS in 1999 was not a good idea. Your best bet now is to get a consult with an attorney who does family law and can deal with DCS. Bring your documentation, and at least do a hour consult. I'm suggesting this because your current plan is not working, and will not work in the forseeable future.

Hope this helps. Powell