Family and Parenting

Child Support and Fiscal Emergencies

Emergency in Child Welfare

A couple weeks back we highlighted an article which told the story of a California family that fought CPS for the return of their children and ended up being part of a lawsuit against the state. That article used that family’s story to shed light on greater systemic issues with the child welfare …

How One Family Fought CPS

How One Family Fought CPS

Huffington Post recently featured an interview with Jessica Weisberg, the author of a thought-provoking article in The Atavist which contrasts the efforts of a California couple who fought for their children back with the endeavors of an attorney who devoted his career to suing CPS. Randy and Dan…

What About the Beloved Family Pet?

Post Hurricane Katrina – Where are They Now?

As our family does every year around this time, we think about Hurricane Katrina and its impact on our family.  While sitting in the hospital the other night with Eric, we spent some time reminiscing about what has occurred since the storm.
First, our location has changed, and changed and change…

Mom, I’m Fine, I was in a Fender Bender and Have a Small Laceration

Mom, I’m Fine, I was in a Fender Bender and Have a Small Laceration

OMG – This was the understatement of the year for me.
It’s Saturday night (Sunday a.m. about 2:00 a.m), I have been in Seattle for a total of 3 hours, I am awakened by the familiar ring of my son, Eric, (each of the 6 kids has their own ring, of course) but I can’t reach the phone, as I am still…

The RBG story develops

Why are Foster Parents Offered More Services than Birth Parents?

In a ruling aided by an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief from the ACLU of Washington, the Washington Supreme Court recently reiterated the State cannot take away a parent’s rights without first providing services to help the strengthen the parent-child bond. Consistent with the legally…

Step Families – Our Family Story as seen through Ian’s Eyes

Step Families Take Time and Space to Gel

As we sat around our dinner table last night discussing a variety of topics ranging from Trump’s hateful rhetoric to a discussion around racism/classicism to the cost of a loaf of bread in Washington DC, it became very clear to my husband and I that our “little” (well not so little as we share 6 …

Mistakes to Avoid with your Lawyer

“Adulting” is Not So Bad

Can I enjoy the perks of being a “grown-up” without the heavy and complicated responsibility that comes along with it? Especially in trying times like suddenly having to fumble your way through the unraveling of your family unit. Blind-sighted by a partner that ditched you and the kids for greene…

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Facing the challenges of extended family during divorce

 
During even the best of times, relations with extended family can be challenging to navigate.  These challenges may compound and manifest in many different ways during the process of separation or divorce.
 
Depending on the type of relationships you and your spouse have with your respective…