The impact of realistic estrangement on child custody matters
Let's Talk Child Custody
Relocation with children is always a hot button issue. That said, since the Supreme Court decided Bisping in 2017 , relocation got more difficult because it became largely a best interest analysis. Most of the time, these...more
When determining child custody, Courts must weigh all factors based on what the judge feels is in the “best interest of the minor child.” Often, it can feel ambiguous in knowing how a judge may rule under this standard, but...more
Lawyers are a jaundiced lot. Law school is a three year exercise in anticipating what can go wrong whether in a trial or a transaction. The lawyer’s job is to anticipate, and course correct to protect the client. Napoleon is...more
Back on October 6, 2023 we wrote about the concept of sharing custody in a setting where the children stay put and their parents move in and out of the former marital residence. We noted then that the concept can work but...more
When a divorcing parent asks this question, their attorney might respond with the common saying, “Children have a voice, not a choice.” In Washington state, the extent to which a child’s voice is heard in establishing a final...more
The first page of the non-precedential custody and contempt decision in T.J.N. v. K.M. more or less reflects a lot of the custody cases we have reported on in recent years. “Mother and Father were never...more
During the holidays, families spend time together observing religious, secular, and other personal traditions. For parents living together with their children, planning where everyone should be and when can already be a...more
Almost like King Solomon suggesting that a child be cut in two so that each parent can have half, more and more, I am hearing about judges and custody evaluators who default to 50-50 shared parenting. Now, that isn’t the law....more
Fathers have come along way in the world of child custody. When this writer started practicing family law in 1982, dads were second class citizens. Inferior parents at best who typically left custody court with Saturday noon...more
Unlike most other cases, divorce and child custody cases often start somewhat explosively. This seems to apply to the recent filings involving Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner. Cases involving people with enormous wealth get...more
Celebrity news often grabs everyone’s attention, especially when it involves a divorce that is playing out both in the court system and in the public eye. Recently, headlines have followed the divorce of celebrity couple Joe...more
DEPP V. HEARD DETAILS THE VERY REAL ALLEGATIONS AND ISSUES OF SEVERE SUBSTANCE ABUSE - For the past few weeks, news outlets and social media platforms have been abuzz discussing the celebrity trial of the current moment —...more
This blog was originally published in October 2020 and has since been updated. - Holidays traditionally mean more family time. Yet, divorce may be on your mind this holiday season, and if it is, what should you do about...more
The stress and emotional impact of a divorce can be overwhelming for anyone, even more so when children are involved. A party who is surprised or blindsided by a divorce often wants a day in court to testify about all the...more
In the midst of this pandemic, many are speculating that the aftermath will result in a baby boom or a rise in the number of divorces. Perhaps there will be a bit of both. It is undisputed that there are typically an influx...more
The term “co-parenting” describes the process where two parents work together to raise a child even though they are divorced or separated and no longer live together. The manner in which parents separate will determine the...more
Once most non-family law attorneys find out my specialty, they say “I would never do what you do!" Given that they’re on the outside looking in, it is easy to understand why so many lawyers feel that way. Originally...more
Summertime and the living is easy, that is, except for those involved in a custody dispute. With relaxed schedules, vacations, camp, and changing activities, summertime custody can prove to be more difficult for parties to...more
I was asked to comment on television about the hottest news, the Brangelina divorce. If you haven’t heard, another celebrity couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are divorcing after 2 years of marriage and twelve years of...more