The Washington Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court's decision that dismissed a grandmother's petition to be recognized as the de facto parent of her granddaughter. The ruling, filed on October 27, 2026, affects Karen Ryers, who sought legal recognition of her parental role in the life of her granddaughter, A.D., amid ongoing family disputes.

This case highlights the complexities surrounding parental rights and the criteria required to establish de facto parentage under Washington law. The court's decision underscores the importance of meeting specific legal standards when seeking such recognition.

In the case, Ryers filed her petition in June 2025, arguing that she had acted as a parent to A.D. for a significant period. A.D.'s parents are Karrie Anderson, Ryers' daughter, and Raymond Dubal. Ryers claimed she had provided extensive care for A.D., including taking her to school and medical appointments, and that she had a strong emotional bond with the child. However, Anderson contested these claims.

The dispute escalated to the Washington Court of Appeals after the trial court dismissed Ryers' petition for lack of standing. Ryers argued that the trial court had applied the wrong burden of proof and had failed to enter necessary findings of fact and conclusions of law. Despite agreeing that the lower court had erred in its burden of proof, the appellate court ultimately upheld the dismissal.

The court ruled that Ryers did not present sufficient facts to establish standing as a de facto parent. The ruling stated, "Although we agree the trial court applied the wrong burden of proof, we nevertheless affirm because the petition does not allege sufficient facts to establish standing." This indicates that even if procedural errors occurred, the substantive requirements for establishing de facto parentage were not met.

To qualify as a de facto parent under Washington law, a petitioner must meet several criteria outlined in the Uniform Parentage Act. These include residing with the child as a regular member of the household, engaging in consistent caretaking, assuming full parental responsibilities without financial compensation, and holding the child out as their own. The court found that Ryers' petition lacked specific factual allegations to satisfy these requirements.

The court's ruling emphasizes the need for clear and detailed allegations when seeking to establish de facto parentage. Ryers' claims about her relationship with A.D. were deemed too vague, lacking specific timelines and details about her caretaking responsibilities. As a result, the court determined that Ryers did not meet the necessary legal threshold to proceed with her petition.

This ruling may have broader implications for similar cases in Washington, particularly for grandparents and other relatives seeking to establish parental rights. It reinforces the legal standards that must be met to gain recognition as a de facto parent and highlights the importance of clear, factual allegations in such petitions.

Looking ahead, Ryers has the option to appeal the decision further, although the court filing did not specify whether she intends to do so. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in family law and the legal standards that govern parental rights.

Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases or future actions planned by the parties involved. The court's decision will likely influence how similar cases are approached in the future, particularly in terms of the evidentiary requirements for establishing de facto parentage.