[WSBAPT] Can Quasi-Child (Non-Biological) be Heir under Intestacy Law?

[Diane J. Kiepe]

Absent a legal adoption no child status can exist no matter how close a non-biological parent is to the child.  I have seen this play out in favorable ways and in very unfortunate ways.  In one case I also have the family, by TEDRA, agree to treat the non-biological grandchild as a grandchild for purposes of specific bequest to "grandchildren".

Diane J. Kiepe

Diane J. Kiepe
Douglas Eden
717 W. Sprague Ave.
Suite 1500
Spokane, WA  99201
djkiepe at depdslaw.com<mailto:djkiepe at depdslaw.com>
509-455-5300

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Natalie Kuehler
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 1:10 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBAPT] Can Quasi-Child (Non-Biological) be Heir under Intestacy Law?

Hello all,

Since I got such great advise from this listserve on my last question (thank you all!), here is another one:

D is in a relationship with M, who gets pregnant. M gives birth, and D is listed as the father on the child's birth certificate. D and M break up, but D maintains a relationship with the child. Later, a paternity test done by D and M reveals that D is not the child's father after all. D nonetheless continues, every now and then, to provide financial support to the child and also generally stays involved in the child's life. D has a new relationship, with resulting biological children. Then D dies intestate.

Is the non-biological child an heir under Washington's intestacy laws?

Thank you!
Natalie

Natalie N. Kuehler
KUEHLER & GRIM PLLC
PO Box 3059 - 1112 State Route 20
Winthrop, WA 98862
o: (509) 996-2832 x1 - c (509) 557-5769
www.kuehlergrim.com<http://www.kuehlergrim.com>

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