Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.20.071 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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In any proceedings relating to nonsupport or family desertion the laws attaching a privilege against the disclosure of communications between spouses or domestic partners shall be inapplicable and both spouses or domestic partners in such proceedings shall be competent witnesses to testify to any relevant matter, including marriage, domestic partnership, and parentage.

[ 2008 c 6 s 1041; 1963 c 10 s 1.]

Notes:

Part headings not law—Severability—2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.

Uniform criminal extradition act: Chapter 10.88 RCW.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 1 case (1 in the last 5 years), 2021–2021 · leading case: State Of Washington, V. Johnny Roach, 489 P.3d 283 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).

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State Of Washington, V. Johnny Roach, 489 P.3d 283 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “RCW 26.20.071. Despite all these exceptions, the statute continues to allow the defendant spouse to control the witness spouse in all other circumstances.”

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