Custody & Visitation | Seattle Divorce Services

Are There Legal Rules for Virtual Visitations with Parents?

Virtual Visitations are Becoming More Common. What Do You Need to Know? Some parents do not have the ability to have frequent in-person time with their children for reasons such as the long distance between residences, histories of problematic behaviors, or perhaps Covid-related restrictions. Other...

Moving Out-of-State and Custody

When getting divorced and negotiating custody, it’s impossible to foresee everything that the future will bring. You have to make custody arrangements based on your current situation and what’s best for your child. Months or years later, however, you or your ex-spouse may be considering moving out o...

Back-to-School Tips for Co-Parents

The summer is over, and our kids are back in school. Whether you are newly divorced, or your children are just starting school, the beginning of the school year can be a difficult transition for everyone. Divorcing and divorced parents face some additional challenges, but the good news is that with...

Child participating in supervised visitation.

Breaking Down Supervised Visitation in Seattle

Visitation and custody issues are decided based on what is in the best interests of the child. In a contested case, the court will listen to the evidence presented and then enter a parenting plan that they believe will best meet the child’s needs, including their safety and general welfare. While su...

Breaking Down Custody & Visitation for Grandparents & Other Relatives

Under certain circumstances grandparents and other relatives can seek custody or visitation rights, but should tread carefully before doing so as there is also great potential for making things worse and ending up with even less contact with the children than before. The standards for custody and...

Unusual Visitation Arrangements Parents Face

When it comes to establishing a post-divorce parenting plan, there really is no “normal” or standard arrangement for custody and visitation. Parenting plans and visitation agreements should be drafted in the best interests of the child with the goal of reaching an arrangement where the child has a b...

Pet Custody in Washington

Pet custody was recently in the local news in a story by Seattle Times reporter Erik Lacitis: Kona and Mr. Bear. In that Clark County case, the divorce court had originally given the wife visitation rights to two dogs that were primarily living with the husband. The Court of Appeals ruled,...

Should We Consider Nesting as a Custody Solution?

One of the issues that many parents worry about when they separate is the effect on their children as they move between two homes. One solution that some parents have used is called "nesting" or "bird's nest custody." This post outlines this newer custody model, and offers some tips for parents cons...

Establishing Paternity in Washington – Understand Your Options

While it may seem obvious, paternity establishes very important rights such as the right of a father to custody and visitation of his child. It also establishes important obligations, such as providing support, both financial and emotional. Unfortunately, paternity is rarely an issue until there...

Surprising Factors That Could Impact Child Custody

For obvious reasons, child custody can be one of the most contentious issues in a divorce or separation. Emotions can run high, former partners can become vindictive, or the parties encounter sudden, unexpected challenges. Therefore, it can be beneficial for divorcing parents to understand the facto...

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