Child Support Modification and Adjustment
In Washington, provisions in "final" child support orders can be modified or adjusted. The same is true for "final" parenting plans. Such changes, however, cannot be made in final orders regarding most property awards or debt allocations entered in divorce or legal separation matters. The following discusses modification and adjustment of final child support orders. There are two ways for most parents to change a final child support order, either by a Petition to Modify Ch
Legal Separation
In Washington State, married couples can file for a legal separation or they can file for a divorce (dissolution of marriage). The process for filing either for a legal separation or divorce is similar, but the legal ramifications are different. A person may choose to file for legal separation instead of divorce for many different reasons, such as religious beliefs, insurance entitlements, military benefits, immigration status, or simply because the spouses desire not to get
Parenting Plan Modification
In Washington, "final" parenting plans are modifiable (as are final orders of child support). This is unlike final orders regarding most property awards or debt allocations. The following discusses modification of parenting plans. In order to modify a parenting plan, a parent must file a petition for modification to initiate the case. Next, either party can bring the matter on for an adequate cause determination. This is often called the "threshold requirement" because if
Mediation - Settlement Conferences
Most family law cases are resolved through mediation (also known as a settlement conference). This eliminates the need to go through a trial which is very costly and emotionally draining. Both Pierce County and King County require the parties to participate in mediation, before a trial even can take place. In mediation, the parties can resolve all issues to avoid trial. One of the biggest advantages to resolving a case though mediation is that the parties can address their u
