Parenting Plans And Summer Vacations

School summer vacations are here in Washington, a time for families to plan a summer vacation and some quality time together. The plans can become complicated in situations where parents are sharing custody. Parenting plans may outline the delineation of time but not how that time is spent. There are steps one can take to make the most of separate summer vacations.

In regard to parenting plans, one should make sure that the plan is fully understood by both parents. One of the keys to successful co-parenting in general, and successful summer planning in particular, is communication. Communicate with each other and with one’s children regarding summer vacations. Make sure children know what is going on and when. Visible calendars in each home can help with this so that children can plan and have predictability, which contributes to their sense of security and well-being.

Another issue to resolve ahead of time to help ensure a peaceful summer is establishing boundaries and being consistent. Having one set of rules at mom’s house and another at dad’s house is a recipe for stress and temper tantrums. Young children in particular do much better with firmly established rules and boundaries and there must be consequences for failure to follow the rules.

Much of the basics of successful co-parenting can be spelled out in parenting plans. If a review of parenting plans reveals areas of contention it may be a good idea to revisit it. An experienced family law attorney in Washington can review the plan and make suggestions as to how issues may be successfully resolved.

Successful Parenting Plans Help Families Arrive At A New Normal

Divorce is difficult and young children can add to the challenge of arriving at a new normal. Coming up with cohesive parenting plans in Washington that take everyone’s needs into consideration can go a long way toward creating a successful new family dynamic. Drew Barrymore, the beloved actress from “E.T.,” together with her ex-husband, are providing an excellent example of what successful co-parenting can look like.

The couple share two young daughters and they strive to celebrate the girls’ accomplishments as a cohesive family unit. Ms. Barrymore acknowledges that this requires constant planning. Recent studies agree with this point of view. The key to co-parenting successfully is to focus on the needs of the children and what the parents can do together to meet those needs.

Perhaps the principal need of children in a divorce situation is to maintain good relationships with both parents. It is widely acknowledged that children do best when two parents are involved in their lives. In addition, it is imperative that the children understand they are loved no differently than when their parents were together. Children are best off when they are shielded as much as possible from existing conflict between their parents.

Successful parenting plans in Washington put the needs of the children upfront and work best when parents are willing to do the work to enable the plan to succeed. A person in Washington who is considering a divorce may wish to consult with an experienced family law attorney. An experienced lawyer can look at the family situation and aide the client in arriving at a settlement that considers the needs of all the parties involved.

Resolving International Custody Disputes

If you’re a divorcing or separating parent, your child’s well-being probably matters most to you, and it may also seem to be the thing that’s most fragile.

This worry might be worse when the other parent will live in another country.

Try to come to an agreement

Resolving your dispute without taking the other parent to court is usually best. It’s often faster, less expensive, and might be less stressful for the child as well as both parents.

Still, child custody is so emotional that having to “be nice” or “act like an adult” is lot to expect from one person, much less two.

You could consider whether mediation or arbitration could be an option, although whether arbitration is possible strongly depends on your specific circumstances.

Knowing which laws apply

If both parents and all the children are in the United States, the state or federal courts are probably best for your divorce proceedings.

Adults and children alike need passports to leave the country, and U.S. courts can consider and enforce issues like permission to relocate or travel as well as visitation rights.

But if someone intends to leave the U.S. permanently, settling custody questions in the country where the children are expected to usually live may be best.

Here again, your options will strongly depend on your circumstances.

Your child overseas without your consent

If your spouse has left the country with your child without your consent, your child can usually be said to be abducted.

There are two broad circumstances for international abductions.

In one, your child is in a country that has signed The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

This treaty protects the rights of children by encouraging their return to their usual home country. It aims to put decisions within the right court in the right country.

If your child is in a countries that not signed the Hague Convention, that country is very likely to still have relevant and applicable laws, and they may even be based on the Hague Convention. Other forms of leverage can sometimes also be used to affect the outcome of your case.

Preparing A Child For Divorce

People fall in love, get married and have a family. While many marriages in Washington thrive and result in happy families, some do not. The decision to divorce can be a very difficult one that can be even tougher when there are young children involved.

There are things parents can do to ease the process. Very young children view the world as revolving around them, so if something goes wrong in their world, it must somehow be their fault. It is imperative that a child understands that he or she cannot be divorced and that parents cannot fall out of love with their child.

A child’s routine also provides a feeling of security and stability. If a child can stay in the same school and with his or her friends, this can provide continuity and ease the transition to whatever changes do happen. If a child does have to change schools, parents should include them in discussions so that they feel a part of the process. Also parents should make sure the child realizes it’s all right to continue to love both parents and ensure that the child understands there is no bad guy in this scenario.

When parents divorce, a main concern is for the continued wellbeing of their children. A family in constant conflict can be more harmful to a child than parents who decide to separate. A person in Washington who is considering divorce may wish to consult with an attorney experienced in family law. A lawyer can review the family situation and help a client to arrive at a settlement that is fair and equitable to all the parties involved.

Can My Depression Affect My Parenting Plan?

The lead up to a divorce can cause turmoil for everyone involved—and may even push some into depression.

If you are a parent living with depression, you may be concerned about whether or not your mental health can play a factor in retaining parental responsibility of your children.

What does a judge consider for a parenting plan?

When creating a parenting plan, a judge will primarily consider each parent’s ability to:

• Nurture a stable relationship with the children
• Provide for the children’s needs
• Help with education
• Make sound decisions
• Provide financial support

Struggling with mental health does not automatically make you a bad parent. Judges create parenting plans in the best interest of the child. So, as long as your depression doesn’t affect your ability to meet these criteria, it should not play a factor in a judge’s decision.

When can depression affect the parenting plan?

When two parents cannot come to an agreement about parenting terms, there is likely to be some level of animosity between the two. Going to court puts the power to make decisions for the kids out of both parents’ hands and into a judge’s. This naturally may make the situation combative and may cause one spouse to use the other’s mental health as a weapon in the court case.

It is important to remember that not all depression cases are the same, and there are certain behaviors that will be viewed more negatively than others. Some of these behaviors include:

• Self-harm: Practicing self-harm may indicate a severe level of depression that would affect one’s ability to establish a stable and loving relationship with their child.
• Self-medicating: Medicating symptoms by abusing alcohol or other substances may also be viewed negatively by the court.
• Prescription abuse: Even if a patient is prescribed drugs to combat depression, abusing these pills may show an inability to exercise good judgement.
• Extreme lethargy: Reduced energy levels is one of the most common symptoms of depression. This symptom will affect a parenting plan if it prevents a parent from being able to adequately provide care for their child.

Seeking help

While medical and psychological professionals can help you recover from depression, a divorce attorney can help you make a case for your parental capability.

Regardless of anything you may be struggling with, you are still your child’s parent. Seeking proper representation can help you best present your case and prevent your spouse from using your depression against you.

Successful Parenting Plans Are Important To A Successful Divorce

Figuring out child support and custody issues can be one of the most difficult issues to tackle when facing a divorce in Washington. There are some aspects to child support that one should be aware of. Familiarity with certain issues can help when contemplating child support concerns and parenting plans.

No one is clairvoyant and able to see the future. Plans and assumptions made today may not hold true tomorrow. A child support plan, once agreed upon, is still modifiable. If there is a change in income due to the loss or change in job status, parents can request a modification from the court. It is important to note that child support typically trumps spousal support.

Unlike spousal support payments, there are no tax implications involved with child support payments. The payments are not considered as income, nor can the payor deduct the amount from his or her tax liability. It is important to remember that child custody can have an impact on one’s taxes, however. Only one parent can claim a child as a dependent, and this is sometimes determined by where the child spends the most time. In an evenly shared custody arrangement, parents can take turns taking the exemption.

A parent in Washington who is contemplating divorce where children are involved may wish to consult with an experienced family law attorney. A lawyer can review one’s family and financial situation and make recommendations for parenting plans based on a client’s current situation. A thorough review can allow the parties involved to arrive at a fair and equitable settlement.

Is Divorce On Your Summer Agenda?

Washington couples can have a variety of reasons for choosing to end their marriages. Each divorce is different, but there are some common aspects that transcend an individual couple. Experts from across the country have joined forces to offer advice on what a person might expect when his or her spouse files for divorce. 

One thing a person might consider is closing any joint accounts. Even if a couple is headed for divorce, if one spouse moves or spends a lot of money from a joint account, there is not much the other spouse can do about it. Closing these accounts can be a good prevention method. The same goes for credit. 

Experts encourage a person entering divorce to check his or her credit report for irregularities. If the other spouse runs up a large debt prior to the divorce, there is a good chance a court will consider it to be marital debt. Experts also offer tips like making sure any large withdrawals from shared accounts require two signatures. 

It may be a good idea to keep things cordial with the other spouse. Divorce can be stressful enough without unnecessary arguments. A person may a want to consider hiring an experienced Washington attorney, who can help a client make sure that his or her divorce goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. The sooner the case gets through the court system, the sooner a person can look forward to starting a new life as a single individual without any unnecessary drama. 

How Will Retirement Plans Be Impacted By Property Division?

Most people work their entire careers with the goal of saving toward a retirement of their dreams. Unfortunately, life seldom goes as planned, and a divorce could derail retirement plans. Washington residents who are concerned about how the property division of their divorce will impact their financial future may benefit from learning how certain assets are handled in divorce proceedings.

During the marriage, retirement earnings are generally viewed by the courts as marital assets. This typically includes all employment-based retirement plans and other savings accounts. In the absence of a prenuptial agreement, there are different rules and varying tax consequences that apply to the retirement accounts.

If a settlement agreement stipulates that a 401(k) or similar employer-based retirement account will be divided, the division will require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to avoid penalties and taxes. This document will outline how the plan is to be divided. Those who receive funds from these accounts must report them as income unless they are reincorporated into a separate retirement account.

There are two main types of retirement plans. The first type is a Defined Contribution Plan, which describes 401(k) accounts that have a daily cash value, making division a fairly straightforward proposition. The other is a Defined Benefit Plan, which is typical of most pension plans. It does not have an assigned value until benefits are due. A former spouse may select one of three options: a lump sum payment when the pension matures, receive a portion of the monthly benefits, or the division can be delayed until a later date through reserved jurisdiction.

IRA accounts are often included in property division negotiations. A former spouse may either roll them into another account or receive them as cash and pay any applicable fees and taxes. In order to preserve retirement goals, divorcing Washington residents may benefit from consulting with an experienced attorney who can help structure a satisfactory settlement agreement.

Understanding No-fault Divorces In Washington

Unlike other states where you would need to prove that one partner is “at fault” in a divorce, Washington state has an exclusive “no-fault” divorce law. What are no-fault divorces? How could this impact your case?

What is an “irretrievable breakdown”?

A no-fault divorce cites the reason for your divorce as an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage. This does the following:

1. Takes the court’s guesswork out of marital disagreements.
2. Avoids making private information public.
3. Saves you time and money in preparing evidence against your spouse.

The reasons for your divorce do not concern the court. They will help settle financial disagreements, legal custody of children, child or spousal support, schedule counseling services and property division. They will not spend time deciding who was “right” in an argument.

Are there exceptions to a no-fault divorce?

There are few exceptions to a “no-fault” divorce. One is the rare circumstance of an annulment and the other is legal separation. You can pursue a legal separation from your spouse instead of or before a divorce. However, you would still be legally married under a legal separation.

“No-Fault” does not mean that you cannot object to the divorce. After a 90-day waiting period, you can classify your divorce as contested or uncontested, and the process will continue from there.

Even if you cannot locate your spouse, if your marriage is under Washington’s jurisdiction your divorce is still filed as no-fault. If you have a domestic partnership, it is subject to nearly identical divorce proceedings. Many same-sex domestic partnerships were merged by law into marriage on Jun 30, 2014 and are subject to a marriage’s divorce proceedings.

If your spouse spent large sums on a mistress or intentionally destroyed joint property, the judge may take that into consideration and award you a larger settlement. However, this is not an indication of “fault.” If there is domestic violence or cruelty, civil or criminal charges would be separate from the divorce proceedings.

Even though Washington legally declares that your divorce is a “no-fault” situation, you are still entitled to a fair settlement. If you are planning to file for divorce, you may want to explore your legal options.

Custody Modifications Are Possible For The Right Reasons

Washington parents who are no longer together may find themselves struggling over parenting time. It is common for parents to make minor adjustments when custody schedules conflict, but seeking more comprehensive or long-term custody modifications may require a court order. The courts seek the best interests of the children in these cases, so it is important for parents pursuing such modifications to present valid and supported reasons for making such a serious request.

A parent who suspects a child is in danger when spending time with the other parent may have to present evidence of domestic abuse or other dangerous situations when asking the court to restrict visitation. The child’s unwillingness to go with the other parent is a start, but it may not be enough. Additionally, if the other parent refuses to comply with the existing custody order, there may be cause for seeking a modification. A parent who will not cooperate or communicate with a co-parent risks the court’s intervention and possibly custody restrictions.

Certain circumstances may leave a parent little choice but to seek the court’s approval for a revision in custody orders. For example, a parent who must relocate may be unable to maintain custody or visitation as it stands and may require adjustments for longer, less frequent visits. Similarly, a noncustodial parent may be unable to assume full custody if the custodial parent should die. This may require the court to place the children with a third party.

Each circumstance is unique, so there are no uniform answers. When a parent feels a custody order does not benefit the child or the family, the parent may have questions about how to proceed with custody modifications. An attorney who is well experienced with Washington family law may be of great assistance.

Do You Need An Expert Witness In Your Divorce Trial?

You may need an expert’s testimony to set the record straight during your divorce proceedings. Even if you decide to settle out of court, an expert can provide invaluable information to help you obtain a more favorable outcome.

These experts can shed light on any number of topics from financial investigations, child custody issues or simple asset valuation. Their opinions can have a significant impact on a judge’s opinion or help both legal teams settle on crucial aspects of your case.

Who hires an expert witness and why?

Either party can hire an expert witness. However, who pays for the expert’s professional time and expenses could be up to a judge or your final settlement based on the nature of their testimony.

For example, if you hire an expert to evaluate your mutual child’s psychological health, or appraise the value of your joint property, and both parties agree with their findings, you might come to an agreement that you will pay some or most of their expenses.

Expert witnesses often provide their highly skilled experience in one of the following:

• Business appraisal
• Property appraisal
• Financial investigation
• Counseling or psychological therapies
• Other medical opinions

If you or your spouse owns a business, or you suspect that they are hiding assets, an expert in these matters can help you get to the bottom of the truth.

Are there cons to hiring an expert witness?

The person whose testimony and services you request are specialized for a reason. They deserve compensation for taking time out of their busy personal and professional lives to give written or oral testimony for your case. You will need to pay them every day they are present for court, whether they testify on the stand that day or not.

If your assets could be worth far less than you anticipated, then you and your spouse should seriously consider the costs of hiring an expert appraiser. Consider your legal options carefully.

Ironing Out Vacation Details In Parenting Plans

Packing up the bags, getting the kids ready and heading off for a vacation are what many families look forward to. It can be a little harder to orchestrate when parents in Seattle are separated or divorced. These are the kinds of issues that can be ironed out and reflected in well-rounded parenting plans since all things that affect children need to be spelled out, including vacation time.

Vacation time is one of the things many divorced parents really don’t think about. But agreeing on the particulars about who the children will be with when during vacation times will eliminate a lot of stress not only for the parents, but for the kids as well. Children need structure in their lives and when they know how their vacation schedules will look, they may be more able to adapt and enjoy themselves on family outings.

Being specific about holidays is important. These kinds of issues are more difficult to deal with if not spelled out in full. It’s harder to get things organized at the 11th hour if it’s unclear who the kids will be with for vacations, and that includes times like Christmas and other holidays. Summer vacation time should also be addressed.

A Seattle lawyer can help clients to fashion parenting plans that fit their particular lifestyles. A lawyer will always have the best interests of children in mind when assisting a client in this regard. A lawyer will review each client’s particular situation and help him or her to iron out vacation details in a well-rounded plan.

Pets Are An Emotional Factor In Property Division

During divorce proceedings, it is natural for couples to disagree over how to divide their marital property. Furniture, real estate, retirement funds and other assets may become a battleground if the couple cannot resolve the matter out of court. However, one area of property division that often has as much emotional trauma as child custody is how to divide the ownership of the family pet.

Washington does not have pet custody laws when it comes to divorce, although a few states have moved in that direction. In a divorce, pets are considered property, which means the courts treat them according to their monetary value even though the owners may have a deep emotional attachment. It is not unusual for a couple to spend a great deal of money in litigation against each other to obtain the pet during property division.

More courts across the country are beginning to see the emotional value of pets. A judge may include the pet as part of child custody arrangements or order a custody schedule if the couple has no child. However, not every judge is willing to put that much time into a decision over a pet and may instead order the animal to be sold if the parties can’t reach their own agreement.

Those pet owners going through divorce must understand how complicated matters can be if their spouses decide to fight them for the animal during property division. If they cannot reach a decision together, they may be at the mercy of a painful court order. Fighting for one’s rights is challenging during every phase of 

Bezos’ Divorce Biggest Financial Stakes Divorce In History

Jeff Bezos and his soon-to-be former wife, MacKenzie, are about to go down in the history books. Besides being the creator of the wildly successful Amazon, Bezos will give a 4 percent stake in the company to MacKenzie as part of their impending divorce settlement. Divorcing Washington couples will likely never have to contend with such high-stakes financial scenarios. To put it into perspective, the settlement is worth $35 billion, which makes it the largest divorce settlement in history.

The couple first met while they were both employed at the same hedge fund company. Bezos’ wife helped him to get Amazon up and running. It made its start out of their garage. The couple recently announced the particulars of their divorce, which will be final this summer. Jeff will keep the company, Blue Origin, and will retain complete ownership of the Washington Post.

The couple announced their separation this past January. The pair maintain that the split has been amicable. The divorce settlement will make MacKenzie Bezos the third richest woman on the planet.  

No matter what is financially at stake in a divorce, a Washington lawyer will be able to help his or her client to work out a divorce settlement with a former partner. When terminating a marriage, there are many legal aspects that must be addressed, and finances are just a part of the picture. If minor children are involved, an attorney can help to set terms for child custody and child support as well as for spousal support.

Child Support Modifications Can Relieve Burden

Even plans carefully made and agreed upon by all parties may not stand the test of time. This may be especially true when it comes to divorce agreements and child custody arrangements. Life has a way of interfering with the best laid plans, and a Washington parent may find he or she is no longer able to meet these obligations. Seeking child support modifications may be an option in these situations.

Parents who are ordered to pay child support may find their circumstances changed for the worse. For example, a job loss, medical crisis or other financial setback may make it difficult if not impossible to meet the court-ordered child support obligation. Parents in this situation are advised to make every effort to comply with the court order by sending as much money as possible and not missing deadlines. It may be possible to negotiate a temporary change with the other parent, but having the courts involved as quickly as possible can provide protection from negative consequences.

Waiting too long to file for a modification and failing to make appropriate payments may lead to an accumulation of debt that can be difficult to overcome. The court will require thorough documentation of a parent’s efforts to comply with child support orders and evidence of the life changes that prevent this compliance. A parent requesting a change in support orders may still meet with resistance if the other parent objects to the modification.

When life circumstances create a difficult financial situation for a Washington parent, child support modifications may be in order. Courts are reluctant to grant such changes without good reasons. Therefore, it may be in a parent’s best interest to seek the advocacy of a family law attorney.

Understanding Parenting Plans In Washington Divorces

Going through a divorce can be difficult, especially when children are involved. Like most other states, Washington offers joint custody as an option for divorcing parents; however, the state’s laws do not use the specific terms of custody or visitation and instead use the term parenting plans to refer to any agreements parents may devise for how to deal with their shared children. The following provides some insight on what these plans can and should entail.

First, parenting plans should list where and with whom the child will reside the majority of the time. The plan should also address how the parents will make certain decisions about the child, such as medical care and other issues. Additionally, a plan should address how the parents will resolve any future issues regarding the care and up-bringing of their children.

In all cases, the court will make determinations based on the best interests of the child. Before approving a parenting plan, a judge will take into consideration the child’s relationship with both parents as well as the parents’ abilities to provide for the child emotionally and financially. Other factors that a judge will look at are whether a parent will remain involved in the child’s life and help make good judgments regarding important aspects of the child’s life, such as education.

In the best circumstances, Washington parents going through a divorce would be able to work together and devise parenting plans with little or no contention. However, this is not always the case, which is why family court judges hold the authority to make the final determination. As such, each parent would do well to retain the services of a family law attorney to help guide him or her through the process and reach a viable plan that will serve all involved for years to come.

Legal Separation Or Divorce?

It is not uncommon for a couple to decide their marriage is essentially over. However, it is not always easy to take the leap into divorce. Spouses may decide to separate instead of formally dissolving their marriage. For those in Washington considering this option, it is important to understand the laws and implications of such a choice.

While living together may be too painful, a couple may have good reason for not ending the marriage legally. For example, once spouse may depend on their other’s health insurance. They may not be eligible for certain Social Security benefits unless they are legally married 10 years or more, so they remain married but separated. Remaining married also offers the potential for tax breaks single people do not get. Finally, some couples may have the hope of reconciling and are reluctant to divorce.

Nevertheless, legal separation is similar to divorce in a number of ways. Spouses typically divide their property, determine child custody, and often pay child or spousal support during a separation just as in a divorce. However, a spouse may not remarry while legally separated, and any debt one spouse incurs during the separation may be the responsibility of both spouses.

Legal separation has its benefits, but it is critical that Washington couples have as much information as possible before taking this step. An attorney can assist a spouse who has questions or concerns about what to expect from a legal separation. If one spouse should decide to convert the separation to divorce, legal advice can make the transition less stressful.

Many States Becoming Supportive Of Shared Parenting Plans

Going through a divorce can be a traumatic experience for Washington couples and others around the nation, particularly if they have children. Determining who will get custody and deciding upon parenting plans can be quite contentious. Many family experts have been advocating a move from traditional custody arrangements. In agreement with this shift in philosophy, another state has recently gotten behind an effort to recommend shared parenting.

Traditionally, judges tended to grant physical custody to mothers. In these arrangements, fathers would have parenting time with their children only on some weekends and selected holidays. However, studies have shown that children benefit from having both parents actively involved in their lives.

Proponents of this arrangement contend that it is in the best interest of the children. The kids perform better in school and exhibit fewer behaviors that could result in delinquencies, crimes or additional problems. Conversely, those that oppose it frequently cite the financial aspects of the scenario. Shared parenting may be more expensive to parents since they will each have the responsibility of half the children’s expenses. Therefore, those against a shared plan claim that it may be an attempt for a parent to avoid making child support payments.

Parenting plans are just one of the many issues that must be resolved when a Washington couple gets a divorce. An experienced attorney can assist an individual throughout every phase of the complexities of the divorce process to ensure that his or her interests are protected. A knowledgeable lawyer will strive to achieve the best possible outcome in the proceedings.

How To Deal With The Emotions Of Divorce

The end of a marriage can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally painful thing to experience. Going through a divorce is often very similar to experiencing the death of a loved one. Feelings of grief, sadness and depression are common during this time and may feel impossible to escape. The following tips may be helpful for those in Washington who find themselves going through a divorce.

In order to get over these feelings, they must be faced. It can be uncomfortable and tough, but confronting emotional pain instead of repressing it will help in the long run. It can extremely helpful to lean on family or close friends for support during this time. Joining a divorce support group and connecting with others who are going through the same thing can be comforting and ease feelings of isolation.

Creatively expressing grief can be incredibly healing as well. Ways to do this could be to write in a daily journal, paint a picture displaying grief or even write a eulogy for the marriage to help with closure. Grief can also take a toll on a person physically. Keeping a healthy diet, hydrating and getting plenty of sleep are extremely important during this time.

Learning how to cope with grief and other painful emotions can allow for a new life to begin. For those in Washington considering divorce, the most important piece of advice is to consult a legal representative. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can answer difficult questions and provide guidance for individuals going through this difficult and emotional experience.

Age Is A Determining Factor In Creating Parenting Plans

Divorce is not an easy choice to make and can be further complicated when children are involved. While a couple may arrive at the conclusion that they can no longer function as a married couple, typically they both share great concern for the continued well-being of their children. Coming up with successful parenting plans to be put in place following a divorce in Washington can go a long way to ensuring a successful outcome for all involved.

The ages of children at the time of a divorce will have a significant impact on the form that a successful plan should take. Children have different needs and, depending on their ages, react differently to parental separation. While keeping those needs in mind, it is also important to remember that a child needs both parents.

Babies may present the biggest challenge as the mother is typically the primary caregiver but a baby also needs significant time with the father to cement that relationship. Babies also like routine and an interruption can be upsetting. As children approach school age it may become a little bit easier to manage as schedules become settled with school activities. Teens can present the greatest challenge as this is a time in their lives where school activities and friends take a larger portion of their time and they are attempting to develop their own independent lives.

Regardless of the age of one’s children, both parents typically share concern for their children’s well-being in the aftermath of a divorce. Cooperation between the parents and the guidance of a family law attorney can aid in the creation of successful parenting plans in Washington. A successful plan should instill a sense of security and stability, regardless of the children’s ages.