Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Washington Revised Code Title 26. Domestic Relations § 26.26A.435. Adjudicating parentage of child with presumed parent

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) A proceeding to determine whether a presumed parent is a parent of a child may be commenced:

(a) Before the child becomes an adult; or

(b) After the child becomes an adult, but only if the child initiates the proceeding.

(2) A presumption of parentage under RCW 26.26A.115 cannot be overcome after the child attains four years of age unless the court determines:

(a) The presumed parent is not a genetic parent, never resided with the child, and never held out the child as the presumed parent's child; or

(b) The child has more than one presumed parent.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465, the following rules apply in a proceeding to adjudicate a presumed parent's parentage of a child if the woman who gave birth to the child is the only other individual with a claim to parentage of the child:

(a) If no party to the proceeding challenges the presumed parent's parentage of the child, the court shall adjudicate the presumed parent to be a parent of the child.

(b) If the presumed parent is identified under RCW 26.26A.325 as a genetic parent of the child and that identification is not successfully challenged under RCW 26.26A.325, the court shall adjudicate the presumed parent to be a parent of the child.

(c) If the presumed parent is not identified under RCW 26.26A.325 as a genetic parent of the child and the presumed parent or the woman who gave birth to the child challenges the presumed parent's parentage of the child, the court shall adjudicate the parentage of the child in the best interest of the child based on the factors under RCW 26.26A.460 (1) and (2).

(4) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 and subject to other limitations in RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515, if in a proceeding to adjudicate a presumed parent's parentage of a child, another individual in addition to the woman who gave birth to the child asserts a claim to parentage of the child, the court shall adjudicate parentage under RCW 26.26A.460.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 26. Domestic Relations § 26.26A.435. Adjudicating parentage of child with presumed parent - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-26-domestic-relations/wa-rev-code-26-26a-435/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard