Custody & Parenting

Child custody and parenting decisions can feel overwhelming, especially during separation or divorce. Emotions are high and the choices you make can shape your child’s stability, routine and sense of security for years to come. Understanding how child custody works...

Adults who share parenting time either agree on terms by working with one another or set terms by going to family court. Both parents should make a reasonable effort to follow the terms of a parenting plan to the best of their ability. Occasionally, it may become...

It is commonly believed that children have the right to choose which parent to stay with once they are mature or old enough, but this is untrue. In Washington, even if a child may feel confident in their choice, custody is a much more complicated and delicate...

Going through a divorce is not easy, especially when children are involved. As a mother, balancing your emotional well-being with your child’s needs can feel overwhelming. Understanding how custody works and what courts consider when determining parenting arrangements...

A parenting evaluation, or child custody evaluation, is an assessment that a parent or court can request to determine the recommended custody arrangement that best fits a child’s interests. It involves the presence of a licensed psychologist, who will conduct...

Involuntary termination of parental rights represents the most serious action courts can take in child welfare cases, permanently severing the legal relationship between parent and child. Washington courts only pursue this extreme measure when clear evidence shows...

Parents who share custody generally have to make certain compromises with one another. They have to give up some of their time with the children. They often need to cooperate when making major decisions about educational or medical matters. Ideally, parents work...

Relocation can become difficult if you are a co-parent who shares custody of your child. You may need to ask for the custody arrangement to be modified. For example, say that you and your ex live about 30 minutes apart. You exchange the children on a 3-2-2 schedule,...

American co-parents understandably often focus on creating schedules filled with enriching activities, school responsibilities and extended family time to better ensure that their children feel supported and engaged. As a result, co-parenting plans rarely address the...

Few things are as emotionally challenging as enduring a bitter child custody dispute, especially during a divorce or the end of a relationship. It can feel like your world is falling down around you, and that your bond with your children may suffer.  Battling it out...