Paternity
What is Paternity?
Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a person as the parent of a child. In Washington State, paternity can be established through genetic testing, a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, or a court order. Establishing paternity ensures a child’s rights to parental support, inheritance, and access to medical history while providing clarity about the legal responsibilities of the parent.
Washington law ensures equal treatment of all parents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in matters of paternity. Courts resolve disputes based on the best interests of the child, evaluating factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent and any history of neglect or abuse.
Reasons for Establishing Paternity
Establishing paternity provides important benefits for both the child and the parents. These include:
- Legal Rights for the Child: Inheritance, access to the father’s medical history, and eligibility for benefits like Social Security.
- Parental Responsibilities: Ensuring financial support and care for the child.
- Emotional Bonding: Strengthening the child-parent relationship.
For more on how paternity impacts child custody and child support, visit our Child Custody and Child Support pages.
How Paternity is Established in Washington State
Paternity can be established in several ways:
- Voluntary Acknowledgment: Both parents sign an acknowledgment of parentage at the time of the child’s birth or later.
- Genetic Testing: Used when paternity is in dispute, often ordered by the court.
- Court Order: When parents cannot agree, the court may establish paternity through legal proceedings.
Learn more about related legal processes on our High Conflict Cases page.
After Paternity is Established
Once paternity is legally established:
- The father may gain custody or visitation rights, provided there are no safety concerns.
- The child is entitled to financial support, inheritance rights, and access to medical history.
- The father may be required to pay child support and participate in shared parenting responsibilities.
For guidance on developing parenting plans, visit our Child Custody and Parenting Plans and Visitation pages.
Same-sex Parents and Paternity
Washington law supports equal treatment of same-sex couples in paternity matters. Non-biological parents in same-sex partnerships can establish legal parentage through:
- Voluntary Acknowledgment
- Court Adjudication
- Assisted Reproduction Agreements
- De Facto Parentage
For LGBTQ+ family law matters, visit our LGBTQ Family Law and Reproductive Rights and Surrogacy pages.
Commonly Asked Questions
Paternity can be established through a voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents, genetic testing, or a court order.
Yes, paternity can be established posthumously using the father’s DNA or other evidence presented to the court.
In disputed cases, the court may order genetic testing or evaluate other evidence to determine paternity. This process ensures the child’s best interests are protected.
No, child support cannot be ordered until paternity is legally established.
Benefits include access to the father’s medical history, inheritance rights, financial support, and eligibility for benefits like Social Security.
Yes, legal parentage can be established through acknowledgment, de facto parentage, or assisted reproduction agreements. Non-biological parents in same-sex relationships also have legal options.
In Washington, petitions to contest or disestablish paternity must generally be filed within four years of the child’s birth or within two years of discovering new evidence.
Washington law protects the parental rights of same-sex couples. Paternity can be established through acknowledgment, de facto parentage, or court adjudication.
In some cases, the court may require a mother to disclose the father’s identity, especially when it affects the child’s welfare or legal rights.
Yes, the court may deny genetic testing if it determines it is not in the child’s best interest or if another legal parent has already been established.