- DivorceThis is a team approach to making decisions to the benefit of the family as your family transitions from a ‘unit’ into separate parts. In a Collaborative matter, the partners agree not to go to Court. They are assisted by a team of professional and make decisions jointly, without the Court deciding outcomes for them. A settlement is negotiated where both parties’ needs are met, without litigation. The parties agree to an open exchange of relevant information. The resolutions are intended to meet each parties needs in the best manner possible, and in particular, to assist in the ongoing co-parenting relationship that many couples wish to keep. If the parties cannot come to agreement, after having signed a Collaborative Law contract, they will have to find new attorneys in order to go to court for their divorce.
- Child SupportChildren’s financial needs and the responsibility for those needs are set forth in an Order of Child Support. The support documents review the parties’ financial circumstances and divides the financial responsibility for children between their parents. There are many specific facts and circumstances that can affect how a determination of child support is made. Once child support has been set, it can be adjusted or modified later based on the changes of income or circumstances of the parties, as well as the ages of the children, and their changing financial needs.
- Child Custody and Visitation
- PaternityA “Paternity” case is one in which parents of a child were unmarried at the time of the child’s birth. A Parentage action or Paternity case may be brought in order to establish the financial responsibilities for a child and the residential schedule or parenting plan for a child. These matters may mirror the issues of a divorce and parenting plan, but sometimes paternity cases may be quite different. In some cases paternity testing may be required, to determine if a man is the father of a child. In other cases the facts and circumstances that have occurred may create a ‘presumed’ father.
- Spousal SupportWashington is a “no fault” divorce state. One spouse may request a divorce without having to prove the other guilty of any wrongful conduct. If one party states the marriage is "irretrievably broken" and the required procedures are completed, the court will grant the divorce. The trend today, is for the courts to look at divorce in economic rather than moral terms. If you or your spouse files for divorce, the question is how to proceed, not whether or not a divorce will be granted. We call a divorce “dissolution of marriage” in Washington. Spousal support or alimony may be a part of your settlement.
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