Articles | Seattle Divorce Services

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...

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...

Do I Need a Cohabitation Agreement?

Moving in together is a big step for every couple, whether married or not. However, for couples who aren’t married, living together can present a number of challenges if the relationship doesn’t work out. No one wants to plan for the end of a relationship especially when things are going well, but a...

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...

Who Participates in the Collaborative Divorce Process?

A collaborative divorce is one that is more of a negotiation than other divorce proceedings. Since the former spouses are working together to resolve the marriable amicably, several professionals are often needed to assist with the decision-making process. This post outlines the roles of the individ...

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...

Tips for Resolving Family Disputes

Whether a couple is divorced or still together, issues can arise that are difficult to resolve. These can be short or long term issues, and they might be about finances, parenting, or any number of other things. A short term financial issue could be around the purchase of a new car, while a long ter...

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...