The expenses of the family and the education of the children, including stepchildren, are chargeable upon the property of both spouses or both domestic partners, or either of them, and they may be sued jointly or separately. When a petition for dissolution of marriage or state registered domestic partnership or a petition for legal separation is filed, the court may, upon motion of the stepparent, terminate the obligation to support the stepchildren. The obligation to support stepchildren shall cease upon the entry of a decree of dissolution, decree of legal separation, or death.
[ 2008 c 6 § 618; 1990 1st ex.s. c 2 § 13; 1969 ex.s. c 207 § 1; Code 1881 § 2407; RRS § 6906. Formerly RCW 26.20.010.]

NOTES:

Part headings not lawSeverability2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.
Effective datesSeverability1990 1st ex.s. c 2: See notes following RCW 26.09.100.

Terms Used In Washington Code 26.16.205

  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.