Family Law Blog

McKinley Irvin Blog

A little knowledge can go a long way to protect your assets and family relationships. Planning can save headaches and money, and can provide peace of mind. The articles and tips in this section of the McKinley Irvin website are intended to help you understand and prepare for some of the more common issues you’ll encounter in a divorce, child custody, or other family law matter.

Please be advised that family cases can be very complex. The information provided here should not be construed as legal advice in your case.

  • Is There a Link Between Divorce and Depression?

    Is There a Link Between Divorce and Depression? A divorce is a highly challenging process, and it can bring about very strong emotional responses. In several individuals, divorce can even prompt issues with depression. Medical depression is very serious, and it’s important to understand that it can sometimes be caused by extremely traumatizing or difficult situations, such as divorce. Some people may be completely blindsided by their spouse’s request for a divorce, and dealing with that news can be heartbreaking and tough to accept. Even the spouse who acted as the ...
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  • Handling Summertime Parenting Plan Violations

    Handling Summertime Parenting Plan Violations School is out for summer, and children around the U.S. are celebrating not having homework, staying up later, and spending more time with friends. The carefree days of summer, however, do not absolve co-parents from following their parenting plans. Co-parents must follow an agreed-upon or court-ordered parenting plan outlining how summer vacations are handled. Violating the agreement has consequences. Address Violations Informally First Parenting plans are legally enforceable plans for parents and their children. The plans ...
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  • Planning for the Kids' College Education After Divorce

    Planning for the Kids' College Education After Divorce Parents can have very different ideas about college regardless of the status of their marriage. However, these differences of opinion can become more divisive once a marriage has ended and the ex-spouses have started new lives and, possibly, new families. Planning for post-secondary education in the context of a divorce is further complicated by the fact that not all states will order a parent to pay support to a child after the child reaches the age of majority. The following are three essential steps that you should take ...
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  • Attorney Kelsey Dodds Joins McKinley Irvin in Vancouver

    Attorney Kelsey Dodds Joins McKinley Irvin in Vancouver McKinley Irvin welcomes our newest family law attorney, Kelsey Dodds, to the firm’s Vancouver office. A Washington native, Kelsey earned her bachelor’s degree at Washington State University before heading to Oregon to attend Willamette College of Law. Kelsey will represent clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, relocation, and domestic violence matters. She has a talent for litigation and is known for her strong courtroom demeaner. We are pleased to bring such a strong advocate ...
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  • Four Questions to Ask a Family Law Attorney

    Four Questions to Ask a Family Law Attorney Finding the right attorney to handle your family law case can heavily impact the outcome. That is why it’s crucial to ask the right questions during the initial consultation. When meeting with an attorney, it’s important to take the time to discuss all of your concerns regarding the case, so don’t be afraid to ask about what you want and need from their firm. Unaddressed issues could have serious repercussions for your case in the long term. Here are four questions you should ask a family law attorney before hiring them. ...
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  • Does the Divorce Rate Really Spike in August?

    Does the Divorce Rate Really Spike in August? According to researchers at the University of Washington, more spouses who file for divorce during the summer tend to do so in the month of August. The results of the study suggest that unhappily married couples arrange their divorce filings around summer vacations. The authors of the study attribute this trend to irreconcilable differences that arise right after a big summer trip. Julie Brine, associate professor of sociology, also talks about the “broken promise” hypothesis in the study. “People are discontent with their ...
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  • What Does It Mean to Terminate Parental Rights?

    What Does It Mean to Terminate Parental Rights? Terminating an individual’s parental rights is a very serious matter, whether the court takes away those rights or the parent relinquishes them willingly. In any parent-child relationship, the biological parents inherently have certain rights and responsibilities regarding their children. If, in any situation, those responsibilities are not being upheld, the court may terminate parental rights if it is in the best interest of the child. Or, a parent may choose to voluntarily give up his or her rights, forfeiting any right to ...
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  • 4 Family Law Myths Debunked

    4 Family Law Myths Debunked Just like other areas of the law, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions among the general public regarding family law. When it comes to family law disputes, don’t rely on advice from friends, relatives, or co-workers. Instead, become familiar with the law by using a trusted source. Below, we debunk four common family law myths. Myth #1: Moms Are Always Awarded Custody of the Children One of the most widespread misconceptions about family law is that courts will generally side with the mother in child custody cases . ...
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  • Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support

    Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support Child support cases can be incredibly complex and overwhelming, which is why we have compiled and answered some frequently asked questions. To learn more about child support, read on. How much will I pay in child support? Child support payments vary on a case-by-case basis, so the amount you pay depends largely on your income. The court will determine a fair child support obligation based on several factors, including the income of each parent, each parent’s employment status, each parent’s tax obligations, and the child’s ...
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  • McKinley Irvin Attorneys Named to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

    McKinley Irvin Attorneys Named to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars We are excited to congratulate the McKinley Irvin family law attorneys who have been included in the 2022 Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Attorneys included in the lists are nominated by their peers for outstanding professional achievement and selected through a formal review process. Super Lawyers represent the top 5 percent of all attorneys in each state and Rising Stars represent the top 2.5 percent of attorneys who are under 40 or have been in practice for less than 10 years. This year more than half of ...
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