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P and W married on July 9, 1974. W was the custodial parent of three children by a former marriage. They separated in October 1981. W filed for dissolution of the marriage on October 16, 1981. The marriage was dissolved on February 14, 1983. W applied for and began receiving public assistance benefits. W assigned to D all of her right, title, and interest in any support owing for the children. P was served with a notice and finding of financial responsibility by D. The administrative law judge held that D was obligated to support his stepchildren until his marriage to their mother was dissolved. P for judicial review of the DSHS decision. The Superior Court reversed holding that (1) there were no genuine issues of material fact; (2) P was a custodial stepparent from the time of his marriage to the date he and his wife separated; and (3) P became a noncustodial stepparent upon his separation from his wife and had no obligation to support her children following the separation. D appealed.

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