A guardian ad litem (GAL), who is also referred to an investigator or a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) is a person appointed by the court to make recommendations about the custody or visitation rights. Either parent can ask the court to appoint a GAL, usually if there are important issues about the safety or well-being of…
If your car won’t run, you take it to a mechanic. If you are sick, you go to the doctor. Likewise, if you need to get divorced, you should consult an experienced divorce attorney who can guide you through your divorce proceedings and give you the legal advice and advocacy that you need. There are a number…
In every type of lawsuit, including divorces, you are required to serve the other party with notice of the proceedings by personally serving him or her with documents concerning the lawsuit. In some cases, however, you may not be able to personally serve his or her spouse after making several attempts to do so. In other cases, you…
Talk to a Lawyer about Your Family Law Situation It’s understandable if you’re hesitant to talk to a lawyer about your case. Obtaining a lawyer is a big decision. You may not even be sure if you need one. But anyone facing a family law issue should at least have an attorney review their case.…
According to a 2016 study by the American Bar Association, a majority of people who don’t go to a formal advisor for assistance with a civil justice situation neglect to do so because they believe they have “no need for advice” or that such advice “wouldn’t make a difference.” Getting divorced gives you something in common…
According to a 2016 study by the American Bar Association, a majority of people who don’t go to a formal advisor for assistance with a civil justice situation neglect to do so because they believe they have “no need for advice” or that such advice “wouldn’t make a difference.” In family law situations like divorce or…
For the most part, divorce records are public records under Washington law. For example, you can order a certified copy of a divorce certificate from the Washington Department of Health for any divorce that took place in the state of Washington. If you request a divorce certificate in person or by mail, you must pay…
For people who have had little previous experience with the court system, attending a divorce hearing can be a stressful and daunting situation. Emotions already tend to run high between spouses who are in the middle of a divorce, but the prospect of attending a court hearing about a contested issue can be downright frightening.…
While a divorce is stressful enough for the adults involved, divorce can be even more difficult for children, who may not always understand why you are separating. Divorce is likely to make children scared, uncertain, confused, sad, and/or angry. Given the extreme emotions that your children may have when they learn about your intended divorce,…