Category Archives: Features

Best Interests of the Child – The Wishes of the Child and the Schedules of the Parents

In this series, we have been examining Washington cases which help us to understand what exactly the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Our last article examined the fifth factor under RCW 26.09.187(3)(a) – “the child’s relationship with siblings and other adults,

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Best Interests of the Child – Relationship with Siblings and Other Significant Adults

In this series, we’re reviewing Washington cases which help us to understand what exactly the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Our last article examined the fourth factor under RCW 26.09.187(3)(a) – “the emotional needs and developmental level of the child.“  Today,

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Best Interests of the Child – The Emotional Needs and Developmental Level of the Child

In this series, we’re reviewing Washington cases which help us to understand what exactly the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Last week we discussed the third factor, the “past and future performance of parenting functions“, which relates to each parent’s ability to take

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Best Interests of the Child – Past and Potential for Future Performance of Parenting Functions

In this series, we’re taking a look at some Washington cases that shed some light on to what the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Last week we discussed the second factor, “the agreements of the parties.”  In that article we saw just how much

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Best Interests of the Child – Agreement of the Parents

In this series, we’re taking a look at some Washington cases that shed some light on to what the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Last week we discussed the first, and most important factor, “the relative strength, nature, and stability of the child’s relationship with each

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Best Interests of the Child – The Quality of the Parent Child Relationship

In this series, we’re taking a look at some Washington cases that shed some light on to what the “best interests of the child” standard means, and how it works when applied to a specific family.  Today, in this second article in the series, we’re taking a look at the first of the seven  factors that Washington courts must consider

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Best Interests Of The Child: What It Means

If you’ve ever been involved in a child custody dispute in Washington, you are probably familiar with, or have at least heard of the concept of “best interests of the child.”   The best interests of the child standard is a Washington court’s primary and most important consideration when making decisions about children.  Indeed, we’ve touched on the best interests standard…

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The Split: Bringing Home The Check

The Split is an on-going series in which Decoupling talks to the people who are perhaps most affected by divorce – the kids.  We sat down with adults whose parents divorced when they were kids and talked to them about how their folks’ split affected them.  Each article will address one particular aspect of their experiences.  In this first article

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Aleki of Wellington, Lord Of The Ring

Luckily for Aleki Taumoepeau, a New Zealand man, love might be bottomless but the ocean is not. Over a year ago, Aleki, a newly-wed ecologist, was conducting an environmental sweep of the Wellington harbor when he accidentally dropped his wedding ring into the water. His wife Rachel remembers:

“It flew off into the air and everyone on

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Getting to Know Your Case Schedule – Confirmation of Issues

This is the third article in our series about King County Superior Court Schedules.  Last week we discussed filing your action and proof of service.  Today we’re discussing the Confirmation of Issues.

Confirmation of Issues

This event requires a joint filing from both parties, and the document itself is very simple.  In a divorce case,…

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