Child Custody Issues In Everett And Snohomish County
When it comes time to determine a child custody plan, the process can be very emotional. As a mother of two teenage boys, our founding and managing attorney, Lani Akiona, understands what parents are feeling. The Akiona Law, PLLC, team uses their collective experience to represent your interests with care and compassion. It is our goal to help you develop a custody plan that meets your needs and your children’s needs.
We can help guide you through the child custody process in a cooperative way that lets you avoid a trial. If you want compassionate representation in your child custody case, please contact us online or call our office in Everett at 425-740-2209 to schedule an initial consultation.
What Is The “Best Interest Of The Child” Standard In Washington State?
Washington law requires courts to base all custody decisions on the best interest of the child under RCW 26.09.002 and RCW 26.09.004. Courts do not favor one parent over the other. Instead, they focus on what best supports the child’s safety, stability and long-term development.
Judges consider several factors for children’s best interests, including:
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s past and future ability to meet parenting responsibilities
- The child’s need for a stable and consistent home
- The child’s wishes, when age and maturity allow
- Each parent’s ability to cooperate and support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- Any history of abuse, neglect or domestic violence
When parents work together to create a parenting plan, they often reach outcomes that better reflect their children’s real needs.
How Do Parenting Plans Work In Washington?
In Washington, custody arrangements are set out in a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a written agreement that explains how parents will share responsibilities for their children after separation or divorce. It provides structure and helps reduce conflict by setting clear expectations.
Parenting plans often address:
- Where the child will live and the residential schedule
- How parents will make major decisions about education, health care and activities
- Holiday and vacation schedules
- Transportation and exchanges
- How future disagreements will be resolved
A clear parenting plan helps children maintain a routine and stability while providing parents with a practical framework for coparenting.
Developing A Shared Parenting Plan That Meets Your Needs
When two parents are working, it can be difficult to manage childcare, and when two parents end a relationship, it can make an already challenging situation even more difficult. At Akiona Law, PLLC, we understand these difficulties and can work with you to develop a custody plan that will meet the needs of both you and your children. We will also work with you to establish a plan for child support, and we can help you modify the support plan if necessary.
In child custody cases, men often feel like their rights do not matter to the court. We believe that both men and women have a right to be a part of family relationships. As your team of attorneys, we will work hard to protect your rights as a father or as a mother.
Making Child Custody Mutually Beneficial
Ending a relationship is often difficult and may result in negative feelings on both sides; however, when children are involved, you will have to deal with your ex, like it or not. Our divorce and family law team will encourage you to set aside any feelings you may have toward your ex and focus on the best interests of your children. After all, this is what the court would do as well.
To avoid the expense and emotional turmoil of court litigation, it is very important to come to a mutual agreement in regard to child custody. We will encourage you to come to an agreement that will ultimately benefit not only your children but also you as a parent. Often, parents are able to establish a parenting plan through negotiation, collaborative divorce or mediation. We have the skill and experience to guide you through these methods of alternative dispute resolution so you and your family can get through the custody process with your well-being intact.
Child Custody Outside Of Marriage
Families take many forms. Some children are raised by grandparents or extended family members who need help pursuing third-party custody. Other children have unmarried parents who still must deal with divorce-related issues because they have a child in common.
Whether you are a same-sex couple with unique child custody concerns or just need to make sure you have the legal right to care for a child who needs you, Akiona Law, PLLC, can help.
Call Our Child Custody Lawyers For An Initial Consultation Today
As our client, you can expect to receive personal, one-on-one attention. If you are facing an issue with child custody, please contact us online or call our office at 425-740-2209 for an initial consultation. We serve people from Everett and Snohomish County, as well as Seattle and King County.
