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Washington Questions & Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Gov & Administrative Law and International Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Is assisted suicide legal under Washington State law for New Zealand children?

I am inquiring about the legality under Washington State law concerning assisted suicide for children who are residents of New Zealand. Does Washington State law have any jurisdiction or provisions that address such a situation?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Under Washington State law, assisted suicide is tightly regulated and only available under a very specific scenario: it’s for adults who are terminally ill, mentally competent, and resident in Washington. Because the children you mentioned are under 18 and residents of another country, they would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Gov & Administrative Law and International Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Are Australian assisted suicide laws applicable in Washington State for children?

Are Australian laws regarding assisted suicide applicable in Washington State, specifically concerning children? I'm seeking clarity on whether there are any legal intersections or conflicts between Washington State laws and Australian regulations on this matter.

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You don’t need to worry about Australian assisted-suicide laws having any legal force in Washington State. Each country has its own laws, and nothing from Australia applies to children or adults living in Washington. Washington operates under its own strict rules, and those rules do **not** allow... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: What do the codes "C520KCO 3293 0001 228930/457852-2 T227 245" and "T765 P23" on a letter mean legally?

I received a letter with postage that includes two separate codes: "C520KCO 3293 0001 228930/457852-2 T227 245" and "T765 P23." I would like to know what each of these codes means legally and how they might apply to me.

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

When you look at those strings of numbers and letters, it’s easy to assume they carry some legal meaning, but in most cases they don’t. What you’re seeing is usually internal routing or postage-tracking information used by a mailing system, not something that places an obligation on you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Can my ex-wife legally prevent a 14-day vacation despite past allowances under our parenting plan in WA?

I am currently dealing with a dispute regarding a parenting plan with my ex-wife in Washington State. Our parenting plan allows each parent 10 days of uninterrupted vacation during the summer, without overlapping the other parent's 4th of July holiday. We each have 50% custodial time,... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You’re in a tough spot, because what you’re running into is the difference between how a parenting plan is written and how you and your ex have informally handled things in the past. The plan itself is what the court will look at first, and if it clearly states each parent is allowed 10 days of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Litigation and Family Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Are incorrect details in a parenting plan petition valid in Washington?

I was recently served with a petition for a parenting plan in Washington State. However, I've noticed that my daughter's birth date is incorrect on the documents, and her two last names have been filled out in reverse order. These papers were filed by her mother, and there hasn't... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

These kinds of typos almost never invalidate a Washington parenting-plan case. A wrong birth date or a reversed last name is treated as a clerical error; the court will focus on whether it has jurisdiction over you and the child, not on minor drafting mistakes. The petition can be corrected by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Public Benefits and Real Estate Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: What rights do I have if my landlord delays window repairs in low-income housing?

As a renter in a low-income housing community, what are my rights regarding a maintenance issue where my bedroom window was broken at the beginning of October and remains unrepaired as of November 10th? I reported the issue immediately and received a response the same day, stating the evidence was... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You have the right to live in a safe and habitable home. Washington law requires your landlord to maintain your rental unit in good repair and to address health and safety hazards promptly. A broken bedroom window that remains unrepaired for more than a month, especially when it exposes you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Health Care Law and Constitutional Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Can a health officer impose restrictions on personal activities without notifying the individual?

Can a health officer in Washington State impose a restriction on personal activities, such as sexual relations, without directly notifying the individual involved?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You do not lose due-process rights in a public-health investigation. A Washington health officer cannot restrict your personal conduct—such as ordering you to abstain from sexual relations—without giving you individualized notice of the order and the factual basis for it, except in a narrowly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Health Care Law and Constitutional Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Can a health officer restrict personal activities without direct notice in Washington State?

Can a health officer in Washington State impose a restriction on personal activities, such as sexual relations, without directly notifying the individuals involved?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Short answer: no. In Washington, a health officer may restrict your personal conduct only through an actual order that applies to you; you must receive notice of that order and be told what is required. General health advisories or guidance do not, by themselves, lawfully bar you from private... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Health Care Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: How do WA State notifications work for Hepatitis A without proven infection?

In Washington State, I understand that one does not need to be proven to have infected another person for notifications to occur regarding communicable diseases. How does this apply to Hepatitis A? What are the specific circumstances under which notifications are issued?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You’re right that Washington does not require proof that you infected someone before health authorities act. Hepatitis A is a notifiable condition; when a provider suspects or confirms it—or when a lab result suggests it—your local health jurisdiction can start contact tracing and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: What does 'OP14' or 'Operator14' mean on a store receipt in WA?

I encountered a code 'OP14' or 'Operator14' on a store receipt and would like to know if it indicates a declined sale or an error. Can you help clarify what this might mean for a transaction in Washington state?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

“OP14” or “Operator14” almost always refers to the cashier or terminal identifier on a point-of-sale system. In other words, it flags which employee or register handled your transaction, not whether the sale was declined.

A declined payment typically appears with clear wording like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Washington on Nov 10, 2025

Q: Threatened with a gun at methadone clinic; how do I proceed legally?

I went to a methadone treatment center in Washington on a recent weekend around 8:30 a.m., shortly before closing. During my visit, a patient grabbed me by the neck, wrestled me, and then pulled a gun, threatening to shoot me. A nurse intervened, cautioning me not to get shot. I haven't... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You went through a terrifying crime. Brandishing a firearm and grabbing your neck constitutes assault with a deadly weapon and felony harassment under Washington law; you can report it while asking the police to keep your contact information confidential and to note your safety concerns. Tell the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Health Care Law for Washington on Nov 9, 2025

Q: Who notifies about STDs in Washington State, the health officer or court?

In Washington State, who is responsible for notifying individuals about communicable diseases, specifically sexually transmitted diseases? Does the health officer, or the court manage this notification? Is it necessary for someone to be proven to have infected another individual before such... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

In Washington, notification is a public-health duty handled by local and state health officers and their authorized staff, not by the courts. When a healthcare provider or laboratory diagnoses a reportable sexually transmitted infection, they report it to the local health jurisdiction;... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Washington on Nov 9, 2025

Q: What is "OP14" on a WA store receipt?

What does "OP14" mean legally on my store receipt in Washington State? I suspect it might relate to an operation number, where the transaction was handled by the employee assigned to Operation ID 14.

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You’re looking at a point-of-sale tag, not a legal code. On Washington receipts “OP14” almost always means “Operator 14” or a similar store-specific shorthand identifying the cashier, user profile, or lane/terminal that processed your transaction. Washington statutes and regulations do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: What are my legal options for a dispute with a freelancer over app development issues in WA?

I hired a freelancer through Upwork to make minor changes and post an application for children with special needs on the Google Play Store. The freelancer requested access to my Firebase account, and later asked me to create a new account but ultimately published the app on the old Firebase... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You have viable claims in Washington for breach of contract and wrongful interference with your digital property; use your written messages and screenshots to prove the agreed scope, the Firebase access change, and the loss of use. Send a concise demand and preservation letter that requires... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Uncategorized for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: What does "OP14" on my store receipt mean legally in Washington?

My store receipt shows a code "OP14" at the bottom, and I'm curious about what it stands for and its legal implications. Could someone clarify the significance of this code in Washington, and if there are any legal issues related to it?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You’re looking at a store-specific code. “OP14” almost always means “Operator 14” or an internal point-of-sale shorthand tied to the cashier, terminal, or a particular transaction mode such as a price override or manual entry. It does not, by itself, carry any special legal meaning in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: Why is my dad's home insurance being sued for a ski collision I was involved in?

I was involved in a collision on a regular ski trail when another skier cut me off, leading to the incident. Although my dad was not involved in the collision, his home insurance is being sued. Could you help me understand why his home insurance is being targeted despite his non-involvement, and... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Your dad’s homeowners policy likely includes personal-liability coverage that follows resident relatives anywhere, so the claimant is aiming at that policy for defense and payout. Even though your dad wasn’t involved, you are probably an “insured” under his policy if you live in his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: Can a personal injury claim be made against my home insurance for an accident in another city?

I was involved in a skiing accident in a different city where an accident report was filed. Can someone potentially file a personal injury claim against my home insurance despite the accident occurring elsewhere?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Yes—your homeowners policy’s personal liability coverage typically “travels” with you; a claimant can pursue you for an off-premises accident, and your insurer may have a duty to defend if the allegations fit within the policy. Ski collisions are classic off-premises incidents; the key... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Personal Injury for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: Can a personal injury case be dismissed if the wrong person is served?

In a civil personal injury case, can the case be dismissed if the wrong person is served with the lawsuit? This has occurred during the pre-trial stage. What steps should be taken to rectify this situation?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Yes; if the wrong person is served, service is defective and the court can dismiss for insufficient service of process. In Washington, a defendant can move under Civil Rule 12(b)(5) to dismiss or to quash service; judges often quash bad service and give you a short window to fix it rather than... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Divorce, Personal Injury and Family Law for Washington on Nov 8, 2025

Q: Is my ex's false accusation a possible libel case and should I file before the statute of limitations?

My soon-to-be ex-spouse sent a text message to my friend falsely accusing me of a crime a judge has already ruled I am not guilty of, in Washington State. This statement was intended to harm me and was not private or privileged. Additionally, my ex-spouse also contacted other friends asking for... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

Yes; based on what you described, you likely have a viable defamation claim because a written text falsely accusing you of a crime is libel per se under Washington law. The text to your friend constitutes publication; the accusation is factual rather than opinion; and a prior court ruling in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Washington on Nov 7, 2025

Q: How do I handle adult adoption forms in Washington State?

I live in Washington and I am the adult adoptee. The woman who is adopting me has raised me since I was 1 year old. I need guidance on the forms required for adult adoption in Washington State. Additionally, I would like to know how my birth mother can be excluded as a possible relative in official... View More

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answered on Nov 8, 2025

You can complete an adult adoption in Washington through Superior Court using the adult-adoption packet and the statewide court forms. You and your adoptive parent file a Petition for Adult Adoption, your signed Consent to Adoption (because you are an adult), any local county cover sheets, and a... View More

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