Tag Archives: custody

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,

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

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

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

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…

When Kids Choose

Question

I’ve heard that once a child reaches 12 years old, he or she can decide which parent to live with. Is this true?

Answer

Not in Washington. Unlike many states, including California, Washington tries to keep children away from court altogether in custody disputes. In fact, Washington courts often react quite negatively to a parent even saying “But…

Divorce is Double No Good

Historically, divorce has been a nasty business with equally nasty terminology.  “Custody” and “alimony” conjure up images of bile-spewing, decades-long battles.  Washington, like many states, has altered the terminology of many key divorce concepts in an effort to escape the loaded words of the bad old days, probably in the hope that more harmonious language will mean more harmonious litigation.…