If I am the father, do I have to pay child support?
If you are the father of a child born in the state of Washington, you may be required to pay child support. In Washington, both parents are financially responsible for supporting a child, regardless of the parents’ marital status or paternity. Under Washington law, paternity must be established first before child support may be ordered. Paternity may be established in a variety of ways. For example, if both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, then paternity is established. Additionally, paternity may be established through a court order or by a genetic test. Once paternity is established, the court may order the father to pay a certain amount of money to the mother to support the child. The amount of support is typically based on various factors, including the father’s income, the child’s needs, and the financial circumstances of both parents. If a father is employed, his employer may be required to take child support payments directly out of his paycheck. In Washington, failure to pay child support may result in penalties, including wage garnishment and the loss of a driver’s license. Court-ordered child support must be paid until the child turns 18 or in some cases, until the child turns 19. In conclusion, if you are the father of a child in Washington you may be required to pay child support once paternity is established. The amount of support you may be required to pay and the time period over which it must be paid depend on various factors.
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