Child Custody & Parenting Plan Lawyers in Lynnwood, Everett, and Kent
If you are facing a child custody dispute in Washington State, the experienced child custody and family law attorneys at Feldman & Lee PS in Everett, Lynnwood, and Kent can help protect your children’s best interests and guide you through the legal process. We will ensure the best interests of your children and their rights are protected as you move through your child custody case. Our support, legal resources, expertise and compassion will be available to you so you and your children receive an equitable and just resolution for your case.
The Complexities of Child Custody Cases
When a relationship ends and children are involved, determining a fair custody arrangement can be challenging. Parents must decide where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent.
Some cases are resolved through mediation, where a neutral third party helps parents reach an agreement. In more complex cases, a court will make the custody decision based on what is in the best interests of the children.
Our Kent & Lynnwood child custody lawyers understand that the well-being and health of your children is your main priority. If you are thinking about divorce or ending a relationship with your children’s other parent and need legal guidance to help protect your family’s future, contact Feldman & Lee PS about your case. We will review your circumstances and provide you with an honest and realistic picture of how your case may play out, in addition to explaining all your options so you can make the most informed choices possible.
Understanding Washington’s Child Custody Laws
In Washington, the residential schedule of a child and other parental responsibilities and rights are often addressed in a court order known as a parenting plan.
This plan is determined either by an agreement between you and the other parent, usually with the guidance of a child custody attorney, or by a decision made by the court commissioner.
This plan is determined by an agreement created by the court or made between both parents, usually with the guidance of a child custody attorney.
By law, the court is responsible for ensuring that the parenting plan serves the child or children’s best interests. In many cases, it is best for the parents to come to the parenting plan agreement via mediation or discussions. If the plan is decided by the court, it may leave both parents feeling very unsatisfied with the result because the judge is making those major life-changing decisions for them.
The custodial parent is the person the children live with most of the time, whereas the noncustodial parent usually keeps his or her parental rights under the plan. This includes the right to spend time with the children and have input on or make decisions made regarding them, regardless of the custodial designations in the plan.
Keep in mind that parent-child relationships have an impact on parental rights granted. Instances of domestic violence, abuse, neglect, alcohol or drug abuse, and other factors that can negatively harm the best interests of the children will have an impact on the child custody case and its eventual outcome. If any of these circumstances apply to your case, be sure to speak to the experienced team at Feldman & Lee PS as soon as possible.
Factors the Court Considers in Washington Child Custody Cases
- Relationship: Strength of your child’s bond with each parent, including stability, care, and emotional support.
- Cooperation: Parents’ ability to work together, especially in contentious cases. Courts value children maintaining relationships with both parents.
- Past Parenting Performance: How well each parent handled daily responsibilities and met the child’s needs before the custody action.
- Child’s Needs: Emotional, developmental, and educational needs of the child.
- Other Family Relationships: Relationships with siblings, grandparents, and involvement in school or extracurricular activities.
- Parental Work Schedules: Employment and availability to care for the child.
- Parental Preferences: Wishes of parents and mature children’s input when appropriate.
Child Custody Modification is Possible
As the needs of a family change, so should their parenting plan. If there have been significant changes to your family since the parenting plan was created, you may be able to have the plan modified to reflect those changes. The same applies to the simple march of time; a plan that worked for your toddlers may not work so well for middle school children with different schedules. A child custody lawyer will help you draft a modification and submit it to the court for approval.
We Can Make a Difference in Your Child Custody Case
At Feldman & Lee, our Lynnwood & Kent child custody lawyers have experience in cases involving residential schedules, child custody, and parenting plans. We have successfully represented many clients in divorce and other family matters, including agreed-on and contested child custody cases and parenting plan issues. We know these cases are typically very emotional and are of the utmost importance to our clients and their families, so we work diligently to ensure our clients can make safe and informed decisions in their specific cases.
Experienced Child Custody Attorneys in Washington State
The child custody lawyers at Feldman & Lee PS in Lynnwood, Everett, and Kent have successfully represented clients in divorce, contested custody cases, and parenting plan modifications. Our attorneys provide compassionate guidance while protecting your children’s best interests throughout the legal process. Contact Feldman & Lee PS today for a free consultation with a Washington State child custody attorney.
