While many grandparents have close relationships with their grandchildren, this is not the case in all families. Divorce, death, and disagreements all can lead to strained relationships between grandparents and the parents of their grandchildren. In some cases, grandparents may turn to the legal system for assistance in getting to visit with their grandchildren. Historically,…
On June 7, 2018, Senate Bill 5598 took effect. The bill is officially called “An act relating to granting relatives, including but not limited to grandparents, the right to seek visitation with a child through the courts.” These are the criteria that must be met in order to apply for grandparents’ rights under this new…
On June 7, 2018, Senate Bill 5598 took effect. The bill is officially called “An act relating to granting relatives, including but not limited to grandparents, the right to seek visitation with a child through the courts.” We’ll explained the criteria that must be met in order to apply for grandparents’ rights under this new…
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…
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…
Grandparents often wonder whether they have any legal rights to see and visit with their grandchildren under Washington law. This is most often an issue when there is a strained relationship between grandparents and their own children, or some sort of family estrangement. Currently, however, Washington law does not provide for grandparents to have court-ordered…
The parenting plan and residential schedule that you and your ex develop or the court orders in your divorce or parentage case can be a difficult adjustment, especially for a parent who normally sees his or her children on a daily basis. However, it is even worse when one parent intentionally keeps the children from…
Are kids in “custody” spending more time with mom, dad, or is it equal? And who is doing the deciding – the parents or the courts? Children in sole custody situations are usually with the mother. This is not that surprising but still, the fact that only 1 in 6 custodial parents are fathers seems…
Grandchildren are often the light of their grandparents’ lives. When a couple with children face an exceptionally nasty divorce, or when one of the parents is no longer involved in the children’s lives, the relationship between one parent and the children’s grandparents can become bitter. If a parent prevents a grandparent or grandparents from seeing…