Advisory Opinion: 1127

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s):

Subject: Assignment of judgment to lawyer for past due child support

Your inquiry related to whether an attorney and client may enter into an assignment of a judgment for past due child support, to secure the attorney's fees. It was the opinion of the Committee that the mother would have the full ability to assign her own interest in back support, but that the extent of her interest would depend on the criteria set forth in Hartman v. Smith, 100 Wn. 2d 766, 674 P.2d 176 (1984).

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.