Recent Posts in the Puyallup Office Category

• Common Legal Challenges Blended Families Face During the Divorce Process

  Sep 25, 2023
  The number of blended families has grown significantly in recent decades and there is now greater social acceptance of non-traditional family structures. The modern family can sometimes include the biological children of both partners and stepchildren, which means different legal issues need to be considered by blended families. Child Custody When two people with children of their own marry and create a new family unit, issues like interacting with a spouse’s ex and travel arrangements for periods of custody can sometimes ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Why You Need a Parenting Plan and How to Do It Right

  Sep 18, 2023
  Being a parent is no easy task, especially when you’re going through a separation or divorce. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to make the transition easier on yourself and your children. The most beneficial thing you can do is craft a parenting plan that establishes a clear, fair schedule for both parents and, most importantly, the children. If you are going through a divorce or separation and you require the use of a parenting plan, make sure you know how these documents work and find out what you can do to ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Understanding Emergency Custody Hearings in Washington

  Sep 12, 2023
  In times of crisis, families can face difficult situations that require immediate attention regarding the custody of their children. When it comes to familial disputes, emergency custody hearings can be a crucial step in addressing immediate concerns regarding a child's safety, well-being, or best interests. The purpose of emergency custody hearings is to resolve urgent matters that can’t wait for a regular child custody hearing due to the potential risk of harm to the child. In this blog, we'll review key facts about ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Pet Custody in Washington

  Sep 7, 2023
  As many people develop a deep connection with their pets and treat them as an essential part of their family, the matter of which spouse gets to keep the pet after a divorce can be a contentious legal issue. Unlike children, there are no “ custody ” laws in the state of Washington for pets because they are considered property under the law. When spouses can't reach an agreement on who should have custody of the pet, judges will generally award the pet to the spouse who was mostly responsible for taking care of it. If there ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Understanding the Gray Divorce Phenomenon

  Sep 1, 2023
  Divorce can be a stressful life event for anyone, regardless of age. While there is a common and widely held belief that half of marriages end in divorce, this is not a fact—partly because the divorce rate is challenging to measure due to variances in a range of factors, from timing to generational differences to geographic location. In reality, research shows that the divorce rate peaked at 41% in the 1980s and has been in a slow but steady decline ever since. However, this isn’t the case for older U.S. couples. Since 1990, ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Explaining an Absent Parent to a Child After Divorce

  Aug 29, 2023
  While divorce is a stressful experience for anyone, children are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of ending a marriage. From behavioral problems to emotional dysregulation to academic struggles, it can be exceedingly difficult to care for little ones when moms and dads are barely hanging on by a thread themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to stay connected and support children after divorce. In this blog, we’ll review some essential tips for co-parents to help their children adjust to single parenthood or ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• How To Handle Custody & Visitation During the Divorce Process

  Aug 25, 2023
  Before your divorce is finalized, you and your co-parent might be concerned about how you’ll share parenting responsibilities in the interim. The divorce process can be complicated and lengthy, so having a temporary parenting plan in place is the best way you can ensure you create a stable environment for your children and set clear-cut expectations with your spouse. While you meet with your attorney to discuss the details of your divorce or negotiate the terms of your official child custody agreement in court, your ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• David Starks Named Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” For the Second Time

  Aug 22, 2023
  We are proud to announce that Best Lawyers® has named David Starks the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for family law in the Seattle Metro Area. This is David’s second time receiving this designation, with the first time in 2022. Best Lawyers selects only one “Lawyer of the Year” for each practice area and geographic location, making this accolade particularly significant. This honor is given to the attorney who received the highest overall peer feedback. David continues to carve out an impressive legal career: Diplomate, American ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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