Articles | Seattle Divorce Services

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...

3 Unexpected Issues in Custody Negotiations

Couples May Not Anticipate These 3 Topics as Potential Child Custody Conflicts Negotiating a child custody arrangement is one of the biggest steps in the divorce process. Some parents begin the process thinking that it will be fairly simple, only to discover that the details can be more difficult t...

Man holding papers and deciding what to bring to a consultation with a family lawyer

What to Bring to a Consultation with a Seattle Family Lawyer

When facing a legal issue that will significantly impact you and your family, hiring a lawyer is a big step in the right direction. That said, it’s important to find the right lawyer for you - after all, family legal matters are usually very personal. Once you have chosen a potential attorney, you n...

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...

5 Family Law Situations That Require the Help of a Lawyer

One of the most common questions people have is whether they should hire a lawyer to help them with a family issue they are facing. There are many great resources available on the internet to help you navigate these issues, but they often are only helpful in straightforward situations. In many situa...