State ex rel. Cornell v. Lane

— Cindy L. Smurro appeals the trial court’s order denying her petition for back child support. We hold that mere failure to complete a paternity action does not waive back child support under RCW 26.26.134, which grants a five-year look-back period for child support when the parent reinitiates the action three years later. Reversed and remanded.

Smurro gave birth to her daughter Toni Marie Cornell on December 3, 1984. About seven and one-half years later, in August 1992, the State of Washington sent Richard A. Lane an unfiled parentage summons. Lane responded one month later and indicated that…