SUPPORT

SUPPORT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY AND CHILD SUPPORT

The Washington State DSHS/Division of Child Support contracts with the prosecuting attorney to handle paternity cases for both assistance and non-assistance cases. Determination of paternity involves interviewing the mother, filing a lawsuit against the possible father's, genetic tests, pretrial motions, entry of a judgment, and on occasion a trial. This may also involve interrogatories and guardian ad litem reports. DSHS/DCS locates absent parents and the Prosecuting Attorney enforces the child support orders and may also opt to file contempt charges for non-payment. If the absent parent resides out of the area, the procedure can be done through an UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) action. This is an act whereby other states and some countries have agreed to reciprocally handle child support cases when one of the involved parties reside there. The prosecuting attorney also handles modifications of child support and enters into private paternity, modification, and dissolution cases where a child is receiving public assistance.