If you’re going through a divorce and have kids, then you’re going to need to talk about a child custody order with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Child custody orders are often complex, but you may be able to understand a little about how they work by reading the...
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Child Custody
How do I establish paternity?
If you've recently become a father, you may be wondering how to establish paternity. Paternity is the legal recognition of a child's father, and it's essential for many reasons. By establishing paternity, you'll be able to ensure that your child has access to...
How to make major decisions when co-parenting
As kids grow, their mental, physical and emotional needs are bound to change. To respond to these changing needs, parents ought to perform a periodic review of how they are raising their kids. And if the parents are divorced, it is important that they incorporate the...
How co-parents can share in Halloween activities
If you and your spouse have a child who is young enough to consider Halloween a major holiday – and still young enough to need and want your help celebrating it – you may need to include it along with other holidays in your parenting plan. Whether you’ve done that yet...
Celebrating your child’s birthday after divorce
Your child’s birthday is something they look forward to every year. In the past, you celebrated with a big party. The whole extended family and some friends gather to shower them with presents and lots of love. However, things are different this year because of your...
Is your ex a Disneyland Dad or Mom?
If you have to share custody of your child with your ex, one potential problem that you may run into is that they are a Disneyland parent. The term “Disneyland Dad” has always been very popular, but it’s important to note that both mothers and fathers can act this way...
Will establishing paternity help you obtain visitation rights?
As a biological parent, it's your right to seek visitation regardless of whether you were married to your child's other parent. Courts in Washington often determine that having access to both parents is advantageous to a child. However, unmarried fathers ought to...
Can a father get primary custody in Washington?
While mothers often received preference in child custody cases of years past, today courts determine custody without considering gender. However, in Washington, the parent who generally spends more time caring for the child may receive more time with the child in the...
3 top contested issues in divorce
These days, divorce is a fact of life, with divorce rates increasing throughout the years. Now, 40 to 50% of marriages end in couples splitting. According to an American Community Survey, Washington ranks No. 10 in the number of divorces for 2018. Reasons for divorce...
Understanding the parenting plan
When individuals divorce, they must make decisions about how their lives will unfold under new circumstances. If the individuals are parents, their decisions must also take into account the needs of their children. According to child custody laws in Washington state,...