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.The amount of child support is determined according to the Washington State Child Support Schedule. The Court then Orders each parent to pay the amount of child support using the standard calculation. This is true even if the parents informally agree between themselves to a lower transfer payment. However, special circumstances in a given situation […]
Child Support Enforcement
Family Law: Child Support Enforcement Many Washington Court Orders, and all administrative notices, contain immediate wage withholding language authorizing the Division of Child Support to take child support enforcement action even when a parent is not behind in payments. When an employer is known, DCS issues a payroll deduction notice. When there is a past […]
Child Support Modification
Family Law: Child Support Modification The Order of Child Support can be adjusted through a child support modification procedure if there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of the parents or the child. Some examples include when one or both parents’ income has substantially increased or decreased; if the child now spends a […]
Community Property
What is Community Property? Washington is a Community property state. Upon dissolution, the Court must distribute all the property owned by the parties between them (both community and separate). The Court first determines whether the property is characterized as community property or separate property. Separate property is that which one spouse owned before the marriage […]
Confirmation of Issues in King County Divorce
In King County, Washington, a case is governed by a Case Schedule, with critical dates starting with the date of filing and ending with the Trial Date. About 3 ½ months after filing, a Confirmation of Issues is due. This is an administrative document that tells the court if you are on schedule to meet […]
Contempt Hearings in Washington
Family Law: Contempt If a parent fails to comply with residential provisions of a Court-ordered Parenting Plan, the parent who is denied access to the child may initiate a contempt action by filing a motion to coerce the other parent to comply with the Order. The non-complying parent can be sanctioned by the Court by […]
Cost of Attorney Fees
In our office, we do our work on an hourly basis. The hourly rate depends upon attorney representing you. We have three (3) attorneys to chose from, Peter W. Mogren, Ronald E. Glessner and Michelle R. Ahrens. In most cases, we require an advanced fee deposit to be paid. This deposit goes into our trust […]
Counseling in Divorce
Family Law: Counseling in Divorce Purposes of Counseling: Here are some ways that counseling can benefit you and members of your family: Helping you help your children through the breakup of their family. How you act and what you say during the divorce affects your children. Your conduct makes a big difference in how your […]
Criteria for Determining a Permanent Parenting Plan
When the parties separate during a divorce and there are children, the determination of a Permanent Parenting Plan can often be one of the biggest issues to resolve. The Washington statute, RCW 26.09.187 sets out the criteria for establishing the residential schedule for a Permanent Parenting Plan as follows: (3) RESIDENTIAL PROVISIONS. (a) The court […]
Criteria for Shared Custody
Family Law: Shared Custody in Washington When the parties separate during a divorce and there are children, the determination of a Permanent Parenting Plan can often be one of the biggest issues to resolve. Frequently the the issue of shared custody/residential time (joint custody) comes up. Historically that concept has been disfavored by the legislature […]