Hayward v. Hansen

We granted review of a less than unanimous decision of Division Three of the Court of Appeals concerning a paternity suit under RCW 26.26.090. The issue on which discretionary review was granted is whether the minor child was properly made a party to the action as required by the statute, 1 and if not, whether the trial court lacked jurisdiction to enter the default judgment against defendant, Lyle Hansen.

The natural mother, Sandy Hayward, initiated this paternity action in 1977 alleging that Hansen was the natural father of Alisha Hayward, born May 6, 1977. Barbara Hayward, the child's…