[christinap4]

Asking a question for a family member. Currently, she and child's father have been living together for 6 years and have a 5 year old daughter. He isn't on the birth certificate, but has been in the home since her birth. In the total time of the child's life he has failed to hold a job for longer than 6 months, is OK with the child not having enough food in the house to eat, and their power has been disconnected more than once. He is currently unemployed and has been for over a year. He is also emotionally & psychologically abusive to my friend and doesn't allow her to have any friends. She is going to school full time online, and has been looking for a job for several months w/o luck. She has no family or friends or options in WA where she is currently living. She has family in CO and would like to move there to establish a better life for herself and her daughter. Can she leave the state of WA legally with her daughter? As stated before, father isn't on the birth certificate and has never legally established himself as the girls father. Thanks for any insight or direction on where to look for advice.

[JudyKayTee]

The father has no rights until the Court GIVES him rights. Yes, the mother can move. He, of course, can file for visitation and/or custody and stop here - by Court Order.