Full question:
My sister’s husband refuses to look after his kids. My sister is looking for a job, until then she literally has no means to support her two kids. My brother in law is earning well and owns five hotels in Washington. Can we approach the court against my brother in law?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Child Support
- Date:
- State: Washington
Answer:
Yes, your sister can seek child support from her husband. He has a legal obligation to provide necessary support for his children, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Since he is financially capable, the court may hold him accountable for failing to support his kids.
If he willfully neglects this duty, he could face penalties, including imprisonment for up to one year and/or a fine of up to five thousand dollars (Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 26.20.035). This law states that anyone who can provide support but intentionally fails to do so is guilty of family nonsupport, which is classified as a gross misdemeanor (Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 9A.20.021).
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.