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.

  • Understanding Grandparents’ Visitation Rights in Washington

    Understanding Grandparents’ Visitation Rights in Washington Child custody can be one of the most stressful parts of a Washington divorce. From evaluating parental fitness to addressing instances of child abuse or neglect, establishing custodial rights and visitation schedules can be nerve-racking for the whole family. From parents to grandparents to aunts and uncles, the vast majority of relatives truly want what’s best for children after divorce . Fortunately, this is exactly what Washington courts desire, too. Rest assured that the judge will always determine child custody ...
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  • Choosing Which Parent to Live With After Divorce or Separation

    Choosing Which Parent to Live With After Divorce or Separation When parents go through divorce or separation , children sometimes have strong opinions regarding custody . In Washington, there are certain situations in which a child's preference can impact a court’s custody decision. If divorcing or separating parents can't agree on a custody arrangement for their children, a judge might require them to attend mediation . If mediation doesn’t resolve the issue, the parents will have to go to court, where a judge will decide on a parenting plan based on the child's best interests. ...
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  • How Spousal Support Is Determined in Washington Divorces

    How Spousal Support Is Determined in Washington Divorces Going through a divorce is an emotionally taxing experience. In addition to processing personal feelings, there are many technical areas to consider. Issues like property division , child support , and child custody can be major points of contention and even hostility during divorce proceedings. Another factor to be decided in a Washington divorce is spousal support . Also known as maintenance or alimony, spousal support refers to court-ordered payments that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. Keep reading to ...
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  • Importance of Hiring an Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer

    Importance of Hiring an Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer For the vast majority of people, going through a divorce is rarely easy. From heated litigation in court to negotiating issues like spousal support and child custody , divorce proceedings can take a heavy toll on the well-being of Washington families, often leading to increased stress and high-running emotions in family courts. Fortunately, it’s possible for couples to avoid a contentious divorce. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a popular way to resolve family law disputes. ADR options can provide families with the ...
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  • 10 Tips for a Low Cost Divorce

    10 Tips for a Low Cost Divorce A divorce can be costly, both financially and emotionally. While it is impossible to predict the total cost of your divorce, there are strategies you can use to actively manage your legal fees. Here are some guidelines to minimize both the financial and emotional consequences of ending your marriage. While it is impossible to forecast how much your legal matter will cost you, we can actively manage your legal costs every day. Here are some strategies to minimize both the emotional and financial costs of divorce. 1. Figure ...
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  • Benefits of Child Counseling After Divorce

    Benefits of Child Counseling After Divorce While divorce can be a stressful experience for anyone, divorcing with children can be especially daunting for Washington parents and families. Ending a marriage can be emotionally taxing for kids and adults alike, making it all the more important for co-parents to recognize and respond to signs of psychological distress in children during and after divorce. Fortunately, child counseling can help children adjust and cope with the changes that come with divorce. Working with a licensed child psychologist or other mental ...
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  • Dividing Business Assets in a Divorce

    Dividing Business Assets in a Divorce Breaking up (a business) is hard to do. The number of small and closely-held businesses has increased over the years-and so has the number of business assets in need of allocation or division in divorce proceedings. This can make a divorce much more complex. There are three scenarios that can typically occur when dividing a business in a divorce: Most often: The business is awarded to the spouse with the greater involvement and the other spouse is compensated. Sometimes: The court can order the business to be sold and the ...
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  • What Should I Ask for in a Divorce Settlement?

    What Should I Ask for in a Divorce Settlement? The division of property is a difficult aspect of the divorce process. It includes the family home, any other shared real estate, vehicles, funds in bank accounts or trusts, investments, stock options, retirement benefits, pensions, and business interests. With so much at stake, it is important to know what to ask for when in the process of negotiating a divorce settlement. In addition to the immediate outcome and changes to your life, this agreement will have lasting effects on your future. Know Your Case Being familiar ...
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  • What to Expect in an Initial Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

    What to Expect in an Initial Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer Filing for divorce is rarely an easy choice to make. How couples choose to navigate and prepare for the divorce process can have significant important legal and financial ramifications for all involved, making it all the more vital to hire the right divorce lawyer before taking legal steps or signing any contracts. Many Washington and Oregon families are understandably intimidated by the complexities of divorce, from deciphering legal jargon to meeting important deadlines to filing the correct forms. Scheduling an initial ...
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  • Reasonable Visitation Explained

    Reasonable Visitation Explained When parents go through a divorce , their children often end up living primarily with one parent instead of the other. The parent with whom the children live most of the time is known as the custodial parent, while the other parent is known as the noncustodial or visiting parent. The custodial parent generally retains legal custody of the children, which gives them the ability to make important decisions on behalf of the child. Though visitation rights depend on a variety of factors, courts believe it is in the best interest ...
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