McKinley Irvin Blogs from 2021

• The First Christmas After Divorce

  Dec 20, 2021
  Those who were recently divorced and experienced some major changes in family life might be concerned about how it will all affect the upcoming holiday season. The holidays are usually filled with happy memories, family traditions, parties, and get-togethers. While you can still find enjoyment in these activities, it is important that you and your family understand that your first post-divorce Christmas will certainly be different. Be Flexible, Create New Traditions Trying to make this holiday season the same as the ones you ...
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• McKinley Irvin Adds Two New Attorneys in Everett

  Dec 6, 2021
  We are pleased to announce that attorneys Sara Penn and Christa Melton have joined the Everett office as Discovery and Document Specialist Attorneys. Sara received her juris doctorate from Creighton University School of Law and Christa from Gonzaga University School of Law. As Discovery and Document Specialists, Sara and Christa will assist clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, and parenting plan modifications. Sara and Christa are empathetic advocates who feel passionately ...
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• Understanding Child Custody Rights in Washington State

  Dec 2, 2021
  Legal issues involving children, such as child custody, can be extremely emotional, frustrating, and oftentimes difficult to work through. Parents want what is best for their children – but when they cannot agree about what that looks like, court intervention might be necessary. However, dealing with the legal restrictions and laws in your state can be challenging. Whether you’re going through a divorce, a separation, or are renegotiating a long-standing custody arrangement, it’s important for you to understand your rights ...
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• How Does Emotional Abuse Impact a Divorce?

  Nov 23, 2021
  Whenever abuse is involved in a marriage, the divorce invariably becomes more complicated – emotionally and legally. In marriages where some type of abuse transpired, it is very likely that the abuse was also one of the reasons, if not the primary reason, for the divorce. This can make the divorce more difficult in a variety of ways. Legally, the abusive party is not considered more responsible for the divorce than the abused party, though abuse can affect details in the final divorce settlement. If you were emotionally ...
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• How to Adopt a Stepchild

  Nov 18, 2021
  When a stepparent wants to adopt a stepchild as their own, they must first obtain permission from both biological parents, unless one parent has abandoned the child for an extended period of time or is deemed unfit to be a parent. If a parent wants to adopt a stepchild who is over the age of 14, then the child must consent to the adoption. If the non-custodial biological parent agrees to the adoption, then their parental rights will be terminated. Consent is revocable until the court approves it. After the court approves the ...
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• U.S. News Recognizes McKinley Irvin in 2022 “Best Law Firms” for Family Law

  Nov 4, 2021
  McKinley Irvin is honored to be ranked as a Tier 1 law firm in the Seattle metropolitan area for Family Law by U.S. News–Best Lawyers®. 2022 marks the 11 th consecutive year that the firm has achieved this distinction. Firms included in the Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. “To be recognized as one of the region’s top family law firms by Best Law Firms and U.S. News for the 11 th consecutive year is an honor,” said Rita Herrera Irvin, ...
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• How to Find a Parent for Child Support

  Nov 2, 2021
  The State of Washington Division of Child Support (DCS) assists parents with finding missing parents and enforcing existing child support orders. If the noncustodial parent lives in another state or U.S. territory, then DCS can request the jurisdiction to establish or enforce a child support order. After the other jurisdiction receives the case, it will have control over most of the actions that follow to enforce the order. When DCS works with another state to collect child support but the noncustodial parent is unemployed, ...
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• Making a Parenting Plan for Halloween

  Oct 25, 2021
  Halloween is quickly approaching and for some divorced and separated couples, this means determining a co-parenting schedule. However, because Halloween is the type of holiday that people generally celebrate for just one evening, planning can be especially hard for co-parents. Below, we discuss some of the strategies co-parents use to divide time fairly with their children on Halloween. Review Provisions In The Existing Parenting Plan Although the details of a parenting plan are unique, there is usually a section within the ...
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