Mediating Conflict,
Embracing Peace

Protecting The Best Interests Of Children In Everett And Snohomish County

Your child is not only your top priority, it is that of the judge in family court as well. Any rulings a judge makes with regard to child custody and parenting time come back to whether or not the child will benefit from those decisions. Gone are the days of primary custody automatically going to the mother in divorce proceedings. Family courts are predisposed to preserve relationships between both parents and the child.

Leaving a custody decision up to a judge, however, is risky and may not yield results that truly benefit the children. After all, the judge does not know your children like you do. It is better if you and your co-parent can work together to create a custody plan that is best for your family.

Transforming Conflict Into Resolution

At Akiona Law, PLLC, we can help you make decisions with the best interests of your child(ren) in mind, whether that involves questions of joint custody versus sole custody, physical custody versus legal custody, initial divorce proceedings or post-divorce modifications. We focus on amicable divorces, including making the process easier on your children. We find that through mediation or collaborative law, families make better choices by coming to an agreement on custody.

Contact us online or by telephone at 425-740-2209 for experienced representation from attorneys who care about doing what is right for you and your family. We proudly represent people from Everett and Snohomish County as well as Seattle and King County.

What Constitutes The “Best Interests Of The Child”?

Every child has different needs during divorce proceedings. The court will consider information presented about:

Familial relationships that affect the child’s emotional well-being, including those between biological parents and child, grandparents and child, siblings and extended family members
Stability offered in different settings, which could include whether or not certain custody rulings will cause the child to be uprooted from his or her existing social group
The ability of each parent to provide proper living standards with adequate food, clothing, shelter and safety
Mental, physical and emotional needs of the child, and the parent’s mental, physical and emotional capacity to meet those needs
Safety issues such as those related to domestic violence, abuse and neglect

It is important that during this emotional time, you remain well informed and rely on your lawyer’s counsel. We work to keep families out of court, thereby limiting the emotional upheaval that children may be experiencing.

Ensure That Your Interests And The Interests Of Your Child Are Protected

With more than a decade of experience in Washington family law, our attorneys can provide the representation you need to help you resolve issues in child-related divorces. Please contact us online or call 425-740-2209 for an initial consultation in your case.

Our Testimonials

"I would recommend this firm in a heartbeat. In tough times, the firm reassured me and handled the big things along with the small. You guys have been awesome. I could not have asked for a better person to represent me. Thanks Lani and of course, all of the staff there. You guys have been top notch."

– T.N., Everett, WA

"Thank you all for the support and guidance that you gave me these past couple years! I wouldn't have been able to navigate this entire process without the Akiona Law team."

– Britney, Snohomish County client

"I wanted to thank everyone at Akiona Law for helping me out with my case and helping with receiving the best representation I can possibly get. Everyone was honest, upfront, and helpful with my situation and always gave straightforward advice on how to handle each situation."

– Cherry, Snohomish County

"The Akiona Law Team is professional, honest, reliable and knowledgeable! I’ve used them many times over the years and they’ve always helped me through my legal needs. They are responsive and provide me with information and options at every turn in my case so I feel fully informed and comfortable before taking the next step. I’d refer Akiona Law to family and friends in a heartbeat!"

– C.W.

"Everyone at Akiona Law, thank you so much for your help on my case! I so appreciate all the work that you've done!"

– Snohomish County, divorce client

“Going through a divorce is never easy, and mine was particularly challenging for several reasons. However, the team at Akiona Law was a beacon of support throughout the entire process.
They were incredibly patient and understanding, even when I was stressed and emotional. (Let's just say, I wasn't always the easiest client to deal with!) Special thanks to Beckie, the paralegal, whose calm demeanor kept me grounded during a very crazy time.
I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of the entire Akiona Law team. They made a difficult situation much more manageable. I highly recommend!“

- Kevin, Everett, WA