Family and Parenting Archives

How Does Estate Planning Work for Committed Intimate Relationships?

October 12, 2023

Washington state’s laws on non-marital relationships, including committed intimate relationships (CIRs), can be convoluted, especially in the absence of a cohabitation agreement. Given the ambiguity that exists for unmarried partners in Washington state, thinking about the future and what it could look like is more important than ever. This is especially true in terms of aging, incapacity, and death. Fortunately, you can address each of these issues in a comprehensive estate plan.

How Family Law and Estate Planning Intersect

September 7, 2023

Family law and estate planning often intersect. This is particularly true when contemplating divorce, remarriage, or blending families.

How Does the Court Decide Child Custody?

How Does the Court Decide Residential Time?

August 24, 2023

At some point during your divorce case, friends and family members whose own marriages ended in divorce probably told you that it gets better, and

Mastering Long-Distance Co-Parenting: 7 Essential Tips for Non-Residential Parents

August 10, 2023

Co-parenting over a long distance when you are a non-residential parent does not have to equate to sacrificing involvement in your children’s lives. But it likely does mean you will have to make tweaks in your communication and parenting style to accommodate the new living arrangement.

Fights Over Fido: Who Keeps the Pet After Divorce in Washington State?

June 1, 2023

When parents go through a divorce, child custody can be one of the hardest issues to deal with. But increasingly in American households, pets are part of the family, and separating can create similar concerns over who gets the family pet.

Unhappily Married? Divorce Isn’t Always the Answer

May 2, 2023

In today’s world of fast-paced decision-making and on-demand solutions, such as DIY divorces, it is not surprising that many couples contemplate divorce the moment they

How Technology Can Help You Be a Better Co-Parent/Parent Team

April 17, 2023

In the wake of divorce or separation, co-parenting can feel stressful. Not only have you just gone through an emotional experience, but you are also

How To Avoid Family Disputes Over Your Property

February 16, 2023

Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance, but it does not have to be that way. Having counseled families for years, we offer the following advice to help your family avoid fighting over your property — while you are here and after you die.

Establishing paternity and parentage in Washington State

How to Establish Paternity and Parentage in Washington State

January 19, 2023

Establishing paternity and parentage is important for many families and parents. Regardless of why you want to establish paternity and parentage, the process has the

Letting Go of the Guilt When the Kids Are With Your Ex

December 8, 2022

As a mom of four (now adult) kids, I remember well the flood of emotions that came each time they went to my ex’s, especially