El embarazo y el divorcio

Las leyes del estado de Washington presuponen que el cónyuge de la persona gestante es el otro padre o madre legal del menor si éste nace durante el matrimonio o en los 300 días siguientes al divorcio. Es así incluso si no es la madre o el padre biológico. Si usted no desea que el cónyuge sea padre o madre legal, debe ocuparse de esto[LG1  antes de que el divorcio sea definitivo.

 [LG1]Jump link to 3 accordions down: What if the spouse shouldn’t be the child’s other legal parent?  [Danielle - ignore this jump link if you think it’s too close to be useful. I wasn’t sure.] 

Si tiene una pareja de hecho registrada por el estado,[LF1]  el proceso y la ley son los mismos. 

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 [LF1]Link to domestic partnership resource

Todavía puede finalizar su divorcio [LF1] en el mismo tiempo que tardaría si no hubiera embarazo, pero debe abordar el asunto del embarazo inmediatamente en el proceso. Si se divorcia antes de que nazca el menor, es posible que tenga que volver al tribunal más adelante para obtener un plan de crianza o manutención de menores.

 [LF1]NJP Family 9160, finalize a family law case

If your divorce is still in process, you can add information and agreements about pregnancy and parentage to your proposed divorce order at any time. 

If the judge has already signed your final divorce orders, you may have to file a new case for parenting and support unless the final order includes permission to come back to court in the divorce case (called “reserving the issue”).

Usually, yes. If one spouse is pregnant during the divorce, the other can automatically be a legal parent once the child is born, even if the child is born after the divorce is final, and even if the other spouse isn’t biologically related to the child.

But if needed, you can include in the divorce order a ruling that the other spouse won’t be a legal parent once the child is born.

If both spouses and the child’s other genetic parent agree, you all can sign and file paperwork sorting out the child’s legal parentage without having to go to court. Read our Parentage guide to learn more. 

If you can’t get everyone to agree, you must ask the judge to order this. This is called “disestablishing parentage.” There are 2 ways to disestablish parentage when you’re getting divorced:

1. As part of the Divorce Petition or Response - You can ask for your final divorce orders to clearly state that the spouse won’t be the child’s legal parent. You can do this even if you don't know who the other legal parent is, or where to find them. But this can complicate the divorce process. Try to get legal help.
2. By filing a Petition to Decide Parentage – You’d file this as a separate case from your divorce.

Responda a algunas preguntas en Obtención de formularios para asuntos familiares y de seguridad para obtener los formularios correspondientes a su situación.

You must prove that you and your spouse didn’t live together or have sexual intercourse at the time the child was conceived. The judge can order you to do genetic testing to disprove a spouse’s parentage. Read our Parentage guide to learn more.

No, but it would help. If you’re not already working with a lawyer for your divorce, think about hiring one. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you might be eligible for free or reduced cost help.

If you want to file a Petition to Decide Parentage, separate from your divorce, your county prosecutor's office Family Support Division might be able to help you.

Not until the child is born. But you can ask the judge to include in the final divorce order permission to use your divorce case number again later for the parenting plan and child support orders. This is called “reserving the issue.” It can save you time and money. You can do this if you know during the divorce that one spouse is pregnant, and the other will be a legal parent for the child.

If you just want child support (not a parenting plan), you can ask the Division of Child Support to help set support. This can be quicker and easier than going to court.

There are no specific forms for getting a parenting plan or child support in your divorce case after it has been finalized. Usually, you can use the generic form Motion for Order for: _____ (FL All Family 181) to explain the situation and ask for what you need. 

Example: I (or my spouse) was pregnant when our divorce was finalized on (date). The judge reserved on parenting and support issues for the new baby. The baby was born on (date). We now need a parenting plan and child support. 

The parenting plan I’m proposing is in the child’s best interest because… (explain and file supporting declarations if needed). 

The child support I’m proposing is appropriate because… (explain and file a Financial Declaration and proof of income). 

You also must propose a Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheets. To file, serve, and schedule a hearing on your motion, follow the same steps you would to ask for temporary orders.  

Even if you didn’t ask to reserve the issue (for example, because the pregnant spouse didn’t realize they were pregnant at the time the divorce was finalized), you can still file a Summons and Petition for Parenting Plan and/or Child Support later, after the child is born. This will be a new case with a new case number. The clerk will charge a filing fee unless you request a fee waiver and a judge approves it.

Responda a algunas preguntas en Obtención de formularios para asuntos familiares y de seguridad para obtener los formularios correspondientes a su situación.