Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Unmarried Fathers Rights

Having never been married to the mother, what legal rights, if any, regarding child support issues, financial support and visitation does the father have?


Asked on 9/18/99, 12:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gary Preble Preble Law Firm, P.S.

Re: Unmarried Fathers Rights

Virtually the same as if married. As a practical matter, the mother was with the child longer and therefore established a pattern of parenting, but there is no bar to the father having primary residential time with the child.

See Chapter 26.27 RCW (Paternity) http://search.leg.wa.gov/wslrcw/RCW%20%2026%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2026%20.%2026%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2026%20.%2026%20%20chapter.htm

Chapter 26.09 RCW (Dissolution, including parenting plan) http://search.leg.wa.gov/wslrcw/RCW%20%2026%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2026%20.%2009%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2026%20.%2009%20%20chapter.htm

Parenting plan sections 26.09.004, .181 to .225

Chapter 26.19 RCW (Child support) http://search.leg.wa.gov/wslrcw/RCW%20%2026%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2026%20.%2019%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2026%20.%2019%20%20chapter.htm

Gary Preble

Olympia

360-943-6960

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Answered on 9/22/99, 1:44 am


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