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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Fellow Esteemed Practitioners:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have an interesting situation involving the establishment of parentage for a minor child. Any and all input, guidance, and suggestions are appreciated. The scenario is below: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I assisted a client to open probate and act as the administrator for an estate so the estate could pursue a wrongful death claim. The decedent is potentially the biological parent of a minor child and we had the court name a GAL for the minor child. The minor child resides in California with their surviving biological parent. The parentage of the minor child is unclear, there is a birth certificate in California which lists the decedent as the parent of the child. However, the estranged surviving biological parent, who is also listed on the birth certificate, states that the decedent is not the biological parent. The birth certificate is not signed by either named parent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Initially, the biological parent of the minor child had stated that they were willing to allow the minor child to participate in a DNA test to clarify or establish parentage, however they have since changed their mind and will not cooperate with any testing. But, the biological parent of the minor child appears willing to sign some sort of sworn declaration or affidavit stating that the decedent is not the biological parent of the minor child.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I now an uncertain how to proceed Should I petition the court to issue an order to mandate DNA testing to establish parentage? Would a sworn declaration from the living biological parent stating that the decedent was not the biological parent of the minor child be a sufficient basis for petitioning the court to amend the original petition to open probate excising/removing the minor child? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If we did get an order from the Court we would still need to address the issue of domesticating the order in California because the minor child resides in California, so that’s another issue. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any guidance or help would be appreciated!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Warmest regards,<br><br></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:purple'>Michael S. Safren, Esq.</span></b> <b><br></b><i>Attorney at Law</i> <br><br>14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168 <br>11900 NE 1st St., Bldg. G - Ste. 300 | Bellevue, WA 98005 <br>P: (206) 859-5098 | E: <a href="mailto:msafren@jennylinglaw.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>msafren@jennylinglaw.com</span></a> <br><u><a href="http://www.jennylinglaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.jennylinglaw.com</span></a></u> | <u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jennylinglaw/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>facebook.com/jennylinglaw/</span></a></u> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>This communication, including attachments, may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney/client or other privileges. It constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If the reader or recipient of this communication is not the intended recipient, an employee or agent of the intended recipient who is responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, or you believe that you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and promptly delete this e-mail, including attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. The unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney/client or other privilege.</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>