Washington child support begins with each parent’s individual income, not with a flat percentage of one paycheck. To understand how child support is calculated in Washington, parents need to know how the state identifies income, reaches a monthly net figure, uses the statewide table, and divides responsibility between the parents. For Seattle parents with wages,...
Custody
A parenting plan violation can disrupt a child’s routine and create uncertainty for both households. In Washington State, a parenting plan is a court order, so bad-faith refusal to follow its residential provisions can lead to contempt proceedings, makeup parenting time, financial penalties, and other remedies. S.L. Pitts PC represents Washington parents in complex custody...
Washington grandparents can seek court-ordered visitation in limited circumstances, but state law sets a demanding standard. A grandparent does not receive visitation simply because maintaining the relationship would be beneficial. Instead, Washington law gives substantial protection to a fit parent’s decision about who may spend time with the child. S.L. Pitts PC represents parents, grandparents,...
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, over 22 million children under 21 live with their primary residential or custodial parent while the other parent lives elsewhere. Child custody disputes are not uncommon following a separation or divorce in Seattle and across Washington State. Even the most reasonable parents may let emotional tension get the best...
Even kids who don’t go through a divorce have a hard time adjusting to change. When parents split up, it disrupts a child’s routine. However, Scientific American reports that the majority of children do well after a divorce, even if the first couple of years are difficult. Parents can take steps to help a child...
Children who live with both parents at least one-third of the time do better in school and have better social skills. Research from the American Coalition for Fathers & Children clearly demonstrates that children benefit from shared residential custody, even when their parents aren’t on friendly terms. In Seattle and across Western Washington, maintaining these...