What happens if the adoption is contested in Washington?

Short answer: If the other parent objects, your adoption goes before the Superior Court in your Washington county, and the judge decides based on the facts of your family. Because a contested case depends so heavily on those facts, it's worth talking with a Washington family law attorney about your specific situation.

How abandonment fits in: When a parent won't consent, abandonment is often the central question. Under RCW § 26.33.120, Washington sets no fixed number of months. Abandonment depends on the parent's overall conduct, so the court looks at the whole picture rather than counting days on a calendar.

What the court looks at:

• The overall relationship. Washington courts look at the parent's relationship with the child, not just financial contributions.
• Years of non-involvement. A parent who has been out of the child's life for years, without ever formally giving up their rights, is a very common situation. Years of non-involvement typically supports an abandonment finding.
• Sporadic child support. Occasional payments don't prevent an abandonment finding if the parent hasn't kept up meaningful contact with the child.

Your child's voice: Washington requires the consent of a child who is 14 or older (RCW § 26.33.160). If your child is that age, their own agreement is part of the process whether or not the other parent objects.

How courts view these cases: Washington courts are very supportive of stepparent adoptions. They understand that these adoptions give children stability and legal protection, and judges routinely approve adoptions that are in the child's best interest. An objection from the other parent doesn't change that focus. The judge still weighs what is best for your child.

Timing: A stepparent adoption in Washington typically takes about 3-6 months. A contested case may take longer, and the Superior Court clerk in your county can tell you how hearings are scheduled locally.

What to do next:

• Gather anything that shows the other parent's level of contact and involvement, such as messages, visit records, and support history.
• Ask the Superior Court clerk in your county about local procedures and what happens after an objection is filed.
• Speak with a Washington family law attorney about how your facts fit the abandonment standard and whether you'd want representation at a hearing. Whether you need one depends on your circumstances, and an attorney can advise you on that.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The cost is $349 for the first child, plus $99 for each additional child. Your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We've helped 1104 Washington families, and if your case becomes contested, you can still use our paperwork alongside an attorney's guidance.