Custody & Parenting

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...

As a divorcing parent, one of your priorities will be deciding on a pattern of custody and parenting time that is workable for your child, yourself and your co-parent. It is crucial to remember that not all of the year follows the same pattern for your children. Most...

After a divorce, many couples still share custody of their children. This can include physical custody, meaning the child lives with each parent on a specific schedule. This can create some problems, especially if one of the parents wants to move or relocate. If you...

A divorce can have a major impact on family dynamics. Not only does it drastically alter the relationship between the spouses, but it can exacerbate strain in parent-child relationships. Children and teenagers sometimes take sides when their parents divorce. Often,...

Having children means accepting responsibility for their health and well-being. Parents have to provide shelter and other basic forms of support for their children. They also need to make arrangements for other people to care for their children when they are not...

Parental alienation is the process of manipulating a child to distance them from their other parent. Alienation is often used to lay the foundation for a child custody modification that limits or even completely eliminates the other parent’s contact with the child....

There are many different types of custody arrangements and property division settlements that couples can negotiate. Typically, parents share custody by having the children travel back and forth between their homes. They either agree for one parent to retain the...

While every family's circumstances are different, the legal factors that determine custody rulings are similar. The central principle in all custody cases in Washington state is the child's best interests. There is no single definition of the child's best interests,...