Custody & Parenting

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...

If you are a Washington parent who is facing divorce, determining the custody plan for your children is likely to be foremost in your mind.  Since the family law courts are bound to act in the best interests of the children when deciding the custody arrangements, it’s...

When parents separate, questions often arise about who can make medical decisions for the child. This depends on legal custody and how it is arranged in the parenting plan or court order. Below are some key considerations.  What is legal custody? Legal custody refers...

Splitting up custody rights is perhaps the biggest part of a divorce for parents. Asset division is also important, of course, but many parents are focused on what this will mean for their relationship with their child. It is important, however, to remember that...

Most divorcing parents have to accept the reality of shared custody. Family law judges want what is best for the children, regardless of how toxic the relationship between the parents may have become. In contested custody scenarios, judges try to do what they believe...

When going through a divorce, emotions often run high, and the process can feel overwhelming. For parents of a special needs child, these challenges can be magnified. Both parents typically want to prioritize the best possible outcome for the child while navigating...