Child abuse is a parent’s worst nightmare. While many parents are vigilant about protecting their children from strangers, often the abuser is much closer to home. If you believe that your child is being abused by your former spouse or partner, you need to take appropriate steps to protect your children. In an Emergency, Call…
Life is full of unexpected changes. When a financial situation changes or a family emergency occurs, many parents find that they need additional child support from their former partner. Under certain conditions, you can ask the court “modify” an existing child support obligation. Substantial Change in Circumstances Regardless of the reason, a modification of a…
Losing your job is never easy. Often, it takes weeks or even months to get back on your feet after being laid off. For parents paying child support, however, losing a job becomes an emergency which can affect their child support obligations tremendously if not dealt with immediately. Payments Don’t Stop Many people believe that…
Sometimes in life, we are fortunate enough to receive a little extra money. Whether it is a bonus at work, a settlement in a car accident case, or a large tax return, these payments can help parents pay off bills or purchase a long-coveted item. For parents who have child support obligations, these lump sums…
Divorce is an emotional process even for the most stable adults. For those parents who have children with disabilities, illnesses, or other special needs, getting a divorce can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Though it is true that obtaining a divorce as a parent of a child with special needs can be difficult, careful planning…
As every parent knows, children get sick and get sick often. Between daycare, school, and other activities, kids are exposed to a massive amount of germs every day. Add in accidents like falls from a bike and tragedies like childhood cancers, and it is easy to see how medical care and insurance premiums can quickly…
In Washington State, both parents have a financial responsibility to support their children. The amount a parent is required to pay is set forth in statute and depends on the total income of both parents. The parent who makes more money is required to pay more money. The amount of time children reside in a…
For many couples, one partner is in charge of the finances. For example, the husband may bring home the paycheck, but the wife may balance the checkbook and take care of household bills. This type of financial separation is also common when it comes to filing taxes each year. Often, a husband or wife will…
Retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration are calculated based on the number of years a person worked during his or her lifetime. The longer that a person worked, the greater number of benefits that person will receive. For many people, older women especially, their spouse may have worked much longer and be entitled to…