The Illegitimate Children and Parental Rights Act

Authors

Andrew C. Gauen

Abstract

The Illegitimate Children and Parental Rights Act, signed into law March 20, 1973, has substantially altered procedures relating to adoption and custody in Washington. Both parents of an illegitimate child now have primary right to custody of the child. The putative father now is entitled to notice of those proceedings which may permanently terminate his parental rights, including a hearing to determine the necessity of his consent to his child's adoption. In addition, a putative father now stands on an equal footing with the child's natural mother when seeking custody of his child at a filiation proceeding.

First Page

647

Recommended Citation

Andrew C. Gauen, Recent Developments, The Illegitimate Children and Parental Rights Act, 49 Wash. L. Rev. 647 (1974).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wlr/vol49/iss2/12