Columbia Family Divorce Law Blog

Divorce is an emotionally charged process, and in many cases, it can be contentious. However, it does not have to be if the parties are committed to making it easier for everyone.

Divorce mediation is a less contentious and cost-effective way of reaching agreements and solving problems. It allows the parties, with the help of a mediator, to work together and hopefully reach a mutually agreeable solution.

The end of a marriage is a complex process, and it can be even more difficult when you and the other party are unable to negotiate terms on your settlement. If there are significant disputes remaining, and you are facing a contested divorce, it may be in your interests to learn more about how you can protect your long-term well-being.

Divorce will bring many changes in your life, and it is likely you will continue to experience changes well after your divorce is final. There are times when changes in your circumstances can affect your ability to adhere to the terms of your current custody order, which can be frustrating and overwhelming.

There are certain projects the average person can complete satisfactorily on their own without consulting professionals, and there are others where the do-it-yourself mentality may not serve them well. A DIY divorce, for example, may not be in one’s best interests.

Having rights to one’s child seems like something no one should have to fight for, but every year, plenty of fathers in the state of Washington find themselves in that very position. If a child is born to unmarried parents, then the father will need to formally establish paternity for him to be able to seek parental rights.

In a “best case” divorce scenario, both parents are friendly and amicable with one another, sharing parenting responsibilities and acting in their child’s best interest. Unfortunately, many divorces are not amicable, and parental alienation can result.

This blog discusses the law and procedure to obtain a court order declaring the validity of a marriage that was mistakenly entered into prior to the termination of another marriage. A decree of validity of marriage may resolve immigration issues that could arise in a deportation proceeding.

Domestic violence is defined in Washington State to include any form of violence, words or actions that convey a threat, blocking, stalking and cyberstalking. This Legal Guide discusses the concept of stalking as a form of domestic violence.

Most people know that there is a federal constitutional right to a jury trial. This right universally applies to all criminal cases, and most civil cases like personal injury, contract disputes, and so forth. However, the appellate courts (including the US Supreme Court) have ruled that the general federal right to a trial by one’s peers was not intended by the founders to apply to certain cases.