Paternity

Washington Lawyer: Representation in Pierce and South King County

A paternity action is the process to determine the legal existence of a parent-child relationship, commonly involving unwed man and woman who have a child together. In the state of Washington, if a father is not listed on the baby's birth certificate, he must bring a motion to establish paternity to receive custody and/or visitation rights.

Moreover, if a man is listed on a birth certificate as the father of a child, he only has two years to contest paternity. Thereafter, the man will be responsible for child support and other parental obligations as if he is the father even if a DNA test proves that he is not the biological father of the child.

Likewise, a mother must establish paternity if the father is not listed on the child's birth certificate and the mother wants to establish that a man is the father of her child. Before paternity is established, a mother has full custody and visitation rights, but she may not receive a court order establishing child support and other necessary assistance for the child until paternity has been established.

If you are a man or woman living in Pierce County or South King County, Washington, and need help in establishing or disputing paternity, the law office of Tim Edwards & Associates can help. With offices in Auburn, we are pleased to represent clients throughout Pierce County and South King County.

Our firm practices exclusively in family law cases, and we have helped many clients in paternity proceedings. Attorney Tim Edwards has more than 30 years' experience with family law cases and has extensive experience in the representation of clients involved in a paternity proceeding.

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For caring, experienced and dedicated legal service, contact Tim Edwards & Associates.