In the state of Washington, the child’s preferences are one of the factors that a court will consider in making a determination about the contents of a parenting plan, which includes custody and visitation. The court may give more weight to a child’s opinion if the child is older and sufficiently mature to express a…
Genetic testing occurs in the context of a parentage or paternity action, which is a formal legal proceeding in which a male can establish legal rights to a child as his or her biological father. Either the mother of the child or the alleged father begins a parentage action by filing a petition to establish…
Like most states’ laws, Washington’s laws about child custody cases focus on the best interest of the child. There are a variety of factors that contribute to a child’s best interest, and a judge must consider those factors that are relevant in determining what custody and visitation arrangements are best for a child. The goal…
A parent’s right or ability to take a child on vacation is generally addressed in the parties’ parenting plan. The provision relating to vacations may address when and for how long a parent may take a child on vacation, how much advance notice of the vacation should be given to the other parent, and whether…
The Washington Supreme Court recently considered this exact issue and issued a ruling earlier this year that all Washington trial courts now must follow. Previously, the relevant Washington law contained a loophole that arguably allowed a judge to favor a heterosexual parent over a gay parent. According to the Supreme Court, a court in the…
In American society, most people are dependent on electronic devices as a means of communication. For some people, posting status updates on Facebook, pictures on Instagram, and having conversations with multiple people at the same time through texting, is the way that they interact with others the most. And on social media platforms like Facebook,…
When a child is born to married parents, there is no need for either parent to take steps to establish their parental rights; Washington law presumes that a child born during a marriage is the legal child of both the mother and the father. When a child is born outside of a marriage, however, a…
Collaborative or cooperative divorce is a process available under Washington law that allows two spouses to work together with their lawyers to reach an agreement on all of the issues in their divorce that is acceptable to both of them. Lawyers involved in collaborative divorces have special training in mediation that makes the involvement of…
Washington law does not prohibit parties from getting a divorce if the wife is currently pregnant. However, there are some unique legal issues that are likely to arise in this context regarding the unborn child, whether the child is born during the marriage or in the months following the divorce. Individuals who find themselves in…