Is there a time limit for a man to contest paternity?
In Washington state, there is a time limit for a man to contest paternity, which is generally 60 days after the man was either served with a Notice of Child Support Obligation or received notice that the court has ordered him to pay child support. However, this 60 day window can be extended in certain circumstances if the man can prove that he was unable to contest paternity in that time. This can be due to physical or mental disability, or other factors that prevented him from contesting paternity during the 60 day period. If the man does not contest paternity within this time frame, he may be found to have accepted it and will be assumed to have parentage of the child. This provides the mother with the ability to seek court-ordered child support from the presumed father. So, in Washington, there is an established time limit for a man to contest paternity, although this can be extended in certain circumstances. A man should take the necessary steps to contest paternity within this time frame, or he may be found to have accepted the paternity and potentially be responsible for child support.
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