Even though the Seattle area has some of the country's best public schools, there are dozens of excellent private academies in and around the city. These private schools are not exactly cheap, however. In fact, according to Private School Review, the average cost of...
child custody
Can you trust your ex to choose a good babysitter?
As a parent, the care of your children is one of your paramount concerns. Naturally, though, neither you nor your children's other parent can be with the kids at all times. This means you eventually must entrust your children's well-being to a daycare service, nanny...
Will the court allow a child to decide who to live with?
Children may express a preference regarding which parent they want to live with after divorce. If so, does the court always agree? Under Washington State law, a family court judge should make decisions based on what is in children's best interest. According to those...
Establishing paternity: a benefit for kids and dads
The traditional family pictures of years gone by have evolved, and sometimes couples have children outside of wedlock. In such families, the state does not make any presumption as to the child’s parentage, as is the case when married couples welcome children into...
Can a divorced parent simply move away with the kids?
Many divorced couples in Washington will often still have several years (even decades) of life ahead of them. These years will inevitably bring with them new opportunities, one of which may be the chance for one of them to relocate to a new area. Moving after a...
Dealing with parenting plan violations
If you have a parenting plan and your child's other parent refuses to respect the terms of the agreement, you need to immediately go over your options. Whether a parenting plan was set up when you ended your marriage or you or your child's other parent filed a...
What makes an unfit parent unfit?
Judges usually award joint custody unless there is a reason not to. The courts consider several factors when determining the custody arrangement that is in the best interest of the child. A judge may deny a parent who is unfit custody or visitation. What makes a...
Can a child understand talk about divorce?
When preparing to enter a divorce arrangement with your co-parent, you likely have many questions about your kids. When do you tell them about the divorce? How should you break the news? And how much will your child even understand? It is important to go over these...
What effect does parental alienation have on co-parenting?
Whether you went through a bitter divorce or opted for a friendlier end to your marriage, you and your ex-spouse have decided to share custody of your kids. As Psychology Today notes, this type of custody arrangement often helps children adjust to their post-divorce...
How can you deal with disagreements while co-parenting?
After navigating a divorce and a custody decision, you may feel as if you are at your limit for arguments and disagreements with your co-parent. Learning about how to handle those problems in a constructive and positive way can help relieve stress for you both. Keep...