The back-to-school season is a time of excitement, anticipation, and sometimes a bit of chaos for families. For co-parents, the challenges and emotions can be heightened as they navigate the complexities of shared parenting while preparing their children for the new school year. Effective communication, thoughtful planning, and a focus on the well-being of the… Read More
Harbor Family Law Blog
Rants & Raves
June is mental health awareness month and I’m here to rave about the importance of increased awareness of this issue. For decades, mental health was not a topic openly discussed in the legal profession. When I began practicing law 20 years ago, I saw a counselor to help me process the stress and anxiety caused… Read More
How to Prepare for a High-Net-Worth/High-Asset Divorce in Washington
When the marriage includes significant assets, property division can be an ordeal. If you are contemplating or going through a high-net-worth/high-asset divorce, preparation is essential to streamlining the process and protecting your rights. From gathering documentation of your property, debts, income, and expenses to reviewing community and separate property to valuing your assets and assembling… Read More
Considering Separation or Divorce? Five Initial Steps to Take.
Holidays can be stressful. End-of-year deadlines, extra expenses, travel headaches, and the arrival of winter can take a toll on your relationship. If you’re considering separating from or divorcing your spouse, here are some steps you can take now to help make that a smoother process. Step #1: Check Whether You Can File for Divorce… Read More
When and How to Update Parenting Plans (In and Out of Court)
Courts in the State of Washington and elsewhere rarely modify parenting plans unless there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Nevertheless, parents are generally free to make changes themselves, provided that such changes are in a child’s best interests. Even when parents craft a comprehensive initial parenting plan, unforeseen events can occur, especially if… Read More
Co-Parenting Tips for the Holidays
Labor Day is the beginning of a hectic holiday season, which brings challenges for co-parents. Just like preparing for the new school year, a little advanced planning can reduce the stress of managing holiday schedules. Communicate Effectively. Establish lines of communication that work for both you and your co-parent. This may mean talking in person,… Read More
Handling Summer Vacation Co-Parenting Issues
If you co-parent, you already know parenting schedules can make life difficult — even for parents on good terms. Navigating the practicalities of “kid exchanges” and fair time for both parents become even more complicated when kids are out of school for the summer. How do you reduce conflicts around summer vacation custody issues? The… Read More
What Happens When Washington Co-Parents Disagree on Vaccinations
Navigating co-parenting can be tricky in the best of times, but the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified tensions in many already-strained relationships. As new vaccines have been developed and approved for children, many co-parents have struggled to agree on the best health decisions for their children. Whether (or when) to vaccinate their children is an issue… Read More
Updating Washington Parenting Plans After COVID-19
As schools, workplaces, and other public areas reopen and travel resumes, many parents are breathing sighs of relief. For those parents who share custody of their children, COVID-19 travel restrictions and school shutdowns caused significant upheaval to existing custody arrangements. Restrictions on travel and gatherings outside the home, advisories to limit in-person contact with people… Read More
