Family law is a broad area of legal practice, including separation, divorce, custody, paternity, support, property division and modifications. It can include many complicated issues like paternity, visitation restrictions, and restraining orders. It can involve many legal issues that cross disciplinary boundaries, such as real estate rights, pensions and retirement plans, income calculation, taxes, child custody issues, and restraining orders. It frequently is one of the most stressful events a person can go through, and involves the shattering of a lifelong dream. The articles written below are offered to give you general background information that may be helpful to you. If you need further assistance in a family law matter, please contact us by phone or email.A Safety Plan For Protection From Domestic Violence Published by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts and the Washington Supreme Court Pattern Forms Committee, Olympia, Washington (June 1996) 1. Safety During an Explosive Incident If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area that has access to an […]
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a term used to describe methods of settling disputes without the formality of a formal court hearing, such as a trial or Motion for Temporary Orders. Throughout the course of any case, we always employ the most common method of dispute resolution: the art of informal negotiation. The alternative dispute […]
Annulment (Declaration of Invalidity) in Washington
There are two legal ways to end a marriage in the State of Washington. The first way, the Dissolution of Marriage (frequently called divorce), is the ending of a valid marriage through a process that restores the parties’ single status and gives them the ability to remarry. The second way, Declaration of Invalidity (frequently called […]
At What Age Can a Child Decide Who to Live With?
Family Law: Child Decide Custody? In Washington, can a child decide where they will live in a divorce process? The simple answer is No. This is the decision of the parents, and if the parents cannot decide, then the courts will decide. Depending upon the age and maturity of the child, the court may take […]
Attorney Fees
Family Law: Attorney Fees In family law actions (divorce, legal separation or declaration of invalidity), it is typical for the Court to address the issue of attorney fees. By statute, if one party has a need, and the other party has the ability to pay, the Court will order that party to pay a reasonable […]
Calculating Income for Support
Family Law: Calculating Income for Support in Washington In order to calculate child support or spousal maintenance, it is important to have accurate income information of the spouses. The Washington legislature has defined what is and what is not income for child support calculations in RCW 26.19.071, as follows: (1) Consideration of all income. All […]
Changing Beneficiaries
After a divorce is complete, changing beneficiaries on accounts is important. Failure to do so can have some unexpected results. If you have retirement benefits, insurance benefits, bank accounts, investment accounts, etc., with named beneficiaries, you will wand to review them to make sure they are what you want after divorce. Chances are you named […]
Child Custody – Washington
Child custody in Washington, has been replaced with the concept of a Parenting Plan. This change was made over 20 years ago by the legislature. The terms custody or joint custody are technically no longer used. If you are seeking joint custody, you really need to break it down to the terms of a Parenting […]
Child Support
Family Law: Child Support The Child Support Schedule was established by the State legislature in 1988 to comply with federal law requiring each state to have a standardized statewide support schedule. The legislative intent is to ensure that child support orders meet a child’s basic needs and provide support commensurate with the parents income, resources, […]
Child Support Arrearage
Child support is a large part of any divorce settlement in which children are involved. Beginning in the 1980’s the government placed a more intense focus on enforcing child support payments and going after those who did not comply with their part of the arrangement. Arrearages. Overdue child support payments are called arrearages. This can […]