For the “happiest time of the year,” there sure are plenty of hot-button issues between you and your children’s other parent. From whom will keep the kids over their winter school vacations or who will wake up with the children in their home after Santa arrives, there...
Custody & Parenting
Everyday things to consider when creating a co-parenting plan
If you're navigating a divorce in Washington, you may need to prepare a co-parenting plan. Here's a short guide to making the process as easy as possible. First: Establish civility Before you and your ex can outline the nuts and bolts of a co-parenting plan,...
Are there different degrees of parental alienation?
Divorcing parents must find a way to balance the needs of their children with their own post-divorce limitations. Unfortunately, this can often lead to stress, frustration and anxiety for all parties. In addition, if the marriage ended with hurt feelings and heated...
Is your child custody status in jeopardy while you’re deployed?
Legal custody and parenting determinations are complex, and nothing is more detrimental to the proceedings than a parent's inability to be there with the child. That's why members of the military worry about parenting plans. When their deployment or relocation, often...
Protecting your custody rights during active duty
Parents in Washington who are members of the military might be concerned about how active duty might affect existing custody orders and upcoming custody decisions. They might worry that they could lose custody or visitation rights. However, there are a variety of...
3 common causes of child custody disputes
There are all kinds of reasons why you may end up in a custody dispute with your ex-spouse. Anything ranging from introducing a new partner to your children to being frustrated with the other person’s way of handling your child’s homework assignments can end up...
Resolving child custody disputes with a hearing
How do you get ready for a custody hearing in Washington? For starters, educate yourself. Know ahead of time whether your situation rises to a child custody dispute or is something that you might be able to resolve differently. Avoiding the hearing is possible If you...
Relocation, custody and parenting
Residents of Washington state should understand the way courts consider custody decisions. That is particularly true when it comes to the idea of one parent leaving the state and possibly taking their children with them. While in some cases this is a practical step...
Why consider mediation in child custody?
Mediation is a growing trend in child custody and co-parenting cases in Washington. In mediation proceedings, you can sit down with your former partner and be guided through a process that helps bring both of your concerns to the front. When should you consider...
What are your options for custody and parenting schedules?
When you have agreed with your former spouse to have joint physical custody over your child, it's important to create a schedule together. As you're creating a custody and parenting schedule in Washington, you should consider the age of your child, the work and school...