Washington Family Law Attorney

Establishing Parentage

Washington State, there are three ways to establish paternity and parentage:

• Presumption
• Acknowledgment (voluntary)
• Court orders (involuntary)

Presumption is when the father is presumed to be the biological father of the child. Acknowledgment is when the parents sign and file a paternity affidavit or paternity or parentage acknowledgment with the state Department of Vital Statistics. Court orders are used when the identity of the genetic father is questioned.

Establishing a parenting plan/and/or Child Support. ( Child Custody).

What was traditionally known as child custody and visitation is now known as Establishing a Parenting Plan in Washington. Unmarried parents who have minor children and who have already established parentage, they will need to make arrangements with respect to “residential time (formerly physical custody) and “parental responsibility” (formerly legal custody). Residential time  refers to the time that the child will spend with each parent, including holidays and vacations. Parental responsibility, on the other hand, refers to who will make decisions about significant aspects of the child’s life, such as religion, education, and medical care. The parents are free to agree on an arrangement when it comes to these issues. However, if the parents cannot agree, the court will make a decision based on what is in the best interest of the child.

Mediation

In WA, a court may require the spouses to go through mediation as a way to resolve issues in their divorce. We can assist with preparing you for mediation and  advise you on what to expect during this process and on the pros and cons of reaching an agreement during mediation instead of going to court. Mediation is the process in which a neutral third-party mediator facilitates negotiation and communication between the spouses regarding important matters, such as property division and alimony. Mediation is often favored because it is less contentious, less expensive, and less time-consuming.

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What sets Dearbonn Law Offices  apart is our commitment to customer service. We take pride in making sure our clients are completely satisfied with the quality of the legal services they receive. Rest assured that you will receive the best care and attention from Dearbonn Law Offices.

At Dearbonn Law Offices, our customers’ satisfaction is always our number one priority.  In each area of practice, the firm is committed to zealous advocacy of our clients’ best interest without compromising personal attention.

The lawyers at DEARBONN LAW OFFICES have more than 15 years of experience. We bring together a wide range of professional experience and expertise and have earned a reputation of being aggressive when it comes to pursuing our clients’ interest in each of our practice areas.

Our highly skilled lawyers are committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for your case.  When you are injured and in need of a lawyer, so much is on the line. You deserve lawyers who are experienced, aggressive, and who will obtain the best results for you.

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