Wash. Rev. Code » Title 26 · Chapter 26.33
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.33.010 (2026)

Intent

✓ current as of May 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section WA-LEGapp.leg.wa.gov JustiaTitle on Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar
The legislature finds that the purpose of adoption is to provide stable homes for children. Adoptions should be handled efficiently, but the rights of all parties must be protected. The guiding principle must be determining what is in the best interest of the child. It is the intent of the legislature that this chapter be used only as a means for placing children in adoptive homes and not as a means for parents to avoid responsibility for their children unless the department, an agency, or a prospective adoptive parent is willing to assume the responsibility for the child.
[ 1984 c 155 s 1.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases, 1994–2019 · leading case: Schermer v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 161 Wash. 2d 927 (Wash. 2007).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Schermer v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 161 Wash. 2d 927 (Wash. 2007). · cites it 3× “The State contends this result would be inconsistent with legislative intent that parents may not relinquish custody of their child as a means of avoiding responsibility, as embodied in our adoption statute, RCW 26.33.010. 3 *955 ¶71 The State’s reliance on the legislative…”
In Re Dependency of Schermer, 169 P.3d 452 (Wash. 2007). · cites it 3× “The State contends this result would be inconsistent with legislative intent that parents may not relinquish custody of their child as a means of avoiding responsibility, as embodied in our adoption statute, RCW 26.33.010. [3] ¶ 71 The State's reliance on the legislative intent…”
In Re Marriage of Furrow, 63 P.3d 821 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “At the outset of the adoption chapter, RCW 26.33.010 states that [i]t is the intent of the legislature that this chapter be used only as a means for placing children in adoptive homes and not as a means for parents to avoid responsibility for their children unless the…”
In re the Marriage of Furrow, 115 Wash. App. 661 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “At the outset of the adoption chapter, RCW 26.33.010 states that [i]t is the intent of the legislature that this chapter be used only as a means for placing children in adoptive homes and not as a means for parents to avoid responsibility for their children unless the…”
In Re the Infant Child Skinner, 982 P.2d 670 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “RCW 26.33.010; In re Adoption of Baby Girl Jackson, 89 Wn.”
In Re Custody of RRB, 31 P.3d 1212 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “130(2) states that an order terminating a parent-child relationship "divests the parent and the child of all legal rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations with respect to each other except past-due child support obligations owed by the parent.”
Rosenthal v. Budack, 108 Wash. App. 602 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “130(2) states that an order terminating a parent-child relationship “divests the parent and the child of all legal rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations with respect to each other except past-due child support obligations owed by the parent.”
Avery v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 150 Wash. 2d 409 (Wash. 2003). “33 RCW, we find that the standing requirement is very broad. RCW 26.33.140 (entitled “Who may adopt or be adopted”) provides that “[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.”
In Re Adoption of BT, 78 P.3d 634 (Wash. 2003). “33 RCW, we find that the standing requirement is very broad.”
In Re The Adoption Of A.W.A., 397 P.3d 150 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “” RCW 26.33.010. ¶17 Because the trial court’s findings do not reflect consideration of whether discovery of AWA’s treatment records would be in AWA’s best interests and because a trial court abuses its discretion when it fails to exercise discretion when required to do so, we…”
Lucas v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 870 P.2d 1037 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994). “” RCW 26.33.010; see also, e.g., In re Adoption of Baby Girl K, 26 Wn.”
In Re Md, 42 P.3d 424 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “[44] RCW 26.33.010. [45] (Emphasis added.) [46] Simonson v.”
Show all 22 citing cases →
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.