For fathers

Paternity and parentage

Establishing who a child's legal parents are, or questioning it, quietly and with clear next steps.

When parents are not married, the law does not automatically know who the father is. Until parentage is established, a court usually can't enter a parenting plan or a support order. Washington calls this parentage. It can be done by a signed acknowledgment, by agreement or by a court case with genetic testing. We help fathers who want to be recognized, mothers who need parentage set for support, and people who have real doubts about a signed acknowledgment.

Who usually calls us about this

Fathers who want a place in the child's life

You are not on the birth certificate, or you are but have no parenting plan.

Mothers who need support or a plan

Parentage has to be settled before support and a schedule can be ordered.

Anyone with doubts

You signed an acknowledgment and now question it, or test results surprised you.

What we do

1 Explain where your case stands and what the first step is, in one meeting
2 Arrange genetic testing through an accredited lab when it is needed
3 File parentage, parenting plan and support together when that saves time and money
4 Handle challenges to an acknowledgment carefully, with attention to time limits
5 Keep the matter private and the paperwork factual

How Washington usually handles it

In general terms. Your facts, your county and recent changes in the law all matter, so ask us how this applies to you.

Parents can sign a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, often at the hospital. It has the same effect as a court order once time limits pass.
If parentage is disputed, the court can order genetic testing.
Challenging an acknowledgment or a prior finding is possible only in limited situations and within set time periods, so dates matter.
Rules differ from state to state, and some deadlines are short. If you are unsure, ask early.

What to bring

The child's birth certificate, if you have a copy
Any acknowledgment of parentage that was signed
Any test results, letters or court papers you have
Dates: when you learned of the pregnancy, the birth, and any signed papers

The honest part

A test can settle the biology, but the law also cares about timing and the child's stability. We will tell you plainly if a challenge is likely too late or unlikely to succeed.

We never promise a custody, parenting time or support outcome. Anyone who does is guessing.

An example of how this can go

Example outcome Agreed plan

Unmarried father, parentage and a first plan

Spokane County · About 5 months

Situation. A father with no court order had seen his child only on the mother's terms for two years.

What happened. Parentage was set by agreement after genetic testing. The plan started with alternating weekends and one weeknight, then stepped up after six months of steady exchanges.

Example outcomes are illustrations for this demo, based on common situations. Every family and every case is different. Past results do not predict or guarantee the result of any future case, and nothing here is legal advice. More example outcomes

Common questions

Do I need a DNA test if we both agree I'm the father?

Not always. If both parents agree, a signed acknowledgment or an agreed court order may be enough. We will explain the trade-offs before you sign anything.

I signed an acknowledgment and now I'm not sure. Is it too late?

It depends on how much time has passed and the facts. The time limits are real, so call soon. We will tell you honestly if a challenge is still open to you.

All questions

Fee

$2,600 to $3,400 flat

Uncontested parentage with parenting plan and support

Lab fees for genetic testing are separate.

All flat fees and hourly rates