Child support is an issue that divorce mediation often covers. Some parents want these talks to include college expenses. There are pros and cons to such an approach. Advantages and disadvantages Washington has six four-year colleges that are public and more than 300...
Family Law
Understanding child support
Child support plays an important role in ensuring the financial stability and well-being of children when their parents do not live together. This system aims to cover the basic costs of raising a child, including food, shelter, education and medical care....
Tips for co-parenting success
Co-parenting can be challenging, but with effective communication and collaboration, you can create a positive and stable environment for your children. If you face a divorce and have children, you should learn about strategies that can help you co-parent more...
Common myths about divorce mediation
Washington's Association of Dispute Resolution Centers finds that over 5,000 adults and 3,000 children benefitted from the assistance of mediation to resolve family disputes in 2022. Many of these cases include arranging property division and parenting plans during...
Insurance considerations after a divorce
A Bowling Green State University report showed in 2021 the U.S. divorce rate was at its lowest in 40 years, 14.0 per 1,000 married women. Despite this, many people still must deal with this situation and its aftermath. An overlooked issue in divorce is the need to...
Can you lose your SSI payments to child support?
If you have a disability, you may qualify for special funding from the Social Security Administration. Paying child support could potentially affect your benefits under the SSA, especially if you are late on your support payments. Falling behind on child support...
Is your ex violating the custody agreement?
The custody and visitation order issued in your divorce clearly defines the schedule for each parent’s time with the child. Court orders are legally binding agreements. When one parent violates the court order for any reason, that can lead to contempt of court. There...
3 ways to maximize mediation
The decision to end a marriage comes with an array of issues to resolve. For people striving for an amicable divorce, mediation often eases associated stresses. On average, 59 divorces happened every day in the state in 2020, according to the Washington State...
3 tips for telling your kids about your divorce
When you and your spouse decide to divorce, one of your biggest concerns may involve how your children will react to this major change. You may worry about how your children will take the news and how they will cope with your divorce. Although divorces in the U.S. hit...
Modifying a child support order in Washington
When couples with children divorce, the process of separation becomes significantly more complex. When parents are not in agreement about support payments, they must follow the court-ordered agreements. However, situations can change, leading to modifications of child...