Washington State Paternity Law
The Law Office of Thomas E. Weaver
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Whenever a child is born to parents who are not married or into marriages where the parentage of the child may be called into question, Washington State paternity law can be applied to decide issues such as child custody, child support, and parenting plan arrangements.
At the Law Office of Thomas E. Weaver, we represent clients throughout the South Puget Sound areas of Washington in paternity cases. We help women obtain financial support from their children's biological fathers. We help men who want to assert their unwed fathers' rights and husbands defend against support claims for children they believe are not their own.
No matter what your unique situation involves, we can help you too.
Ways to Legally Establish Paternity…
Paternity can be established in the following three ways:
- Marriage - If the marriage occurs before the child is born it creates a presumption of paternity that establishes the husband as the child's legal father unless challenged at some later date.
- A paternity affidavit - This is a legal form filed with the Washington State Department of Health's Center for Health Statistics.
- Through the Washington Courts - These cases result in a declaration of parentage and are typically followed by orders for custody, visitation, or support. In nearly all court cases, genetic paternity testing of the mother, father, and children are used.
For children born outside of marriage, paternity cases also require a guardian ad litem for the children involved. The guardian acts as the representative and advocate for the children themselves in these matters to make sure their best interests are addressed. If necessary, our firm will assist you in selecting an appropriate guardian ad litem for your case. provides this service as well.
For answers to questions about what your custody rights are, when and how much support may be ordered, or visitation, contact the Law Office of Thomas E. Weaver today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Washington paternity lawyer.
