Child Custody Lawyer in Kennewick, Washington
Do you want to gain or modify an existing agreement for custody of a child? If so, a child custody lawyer from Skyview Law in Kennewick, WA, may be able to help you get a plan that meets your needs. Our firm can help you negotiate with other parents or guardians, handle court matters, and deal with other elements of custody cases.
Call now to start your FREE case review:
How Our Child Custody Attorney Services Work
When you work with Skyview Law, we’ll start by evaluating your unique situation and needs. Factors like your ability to provide for children, where you live, and prior experience working with children can affect your ability to gain or retain custody of children.
Once we know more about your situation, we’ll come up with a plan to help maximize the chance you can receive the custody arrangements you want. We also offer specialized support for other types of custody arrangements, including adoption processes.
What Branch of Law Covers Child Custody?
Child custody falls under our Family Law services.
The Benefits of Working With a Specialized Child Custody Law Firm
Working with a specialized firm has several benefits for you, including:
- Attorneys who are more familiar with the laws in question
- Support from lawyers who have enough experience to estimate the results of cases
- Streamlined processes and support services
- Easier access to additional help for cases that require it
Who Decides Which Parent Receives Child Custody?
In most cases, courts have the final say in which parent receives child custody. However, if both parents agree on a plan ahead of time, courts usually accept that plan unless they have a compelling reason not to.
Child custody law firms can help you negotiate with another parent (or their lawyers) to find a mutually acceptable custody plan. If you can’t reach an agreement, your attorney for child custody can try to convince the court that you are a better fit for the child.
The most important thing to remember here is that courts tend to emphasize the well-being of the child as the primary consideration. Showing that you can help the child more is the best way to persuade a court in your favor.
What Is A Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is an agreement detailing the specific ways each parent can act regarding custody. Parenting plans typically include things like time spent with the child, a transportation schedule, holiday plans, where the child goes to school, who can make medical decisions, and similar matters.
A parenting plan lawyer can help you create a parenting plan that matches your unique circumstances. For family law child custody plans, we can also offer templates and explain what provisions seem to work out in other cases. These can help you decide on the best parenting plan for your needs.
What Are the Child Custody Laws in Washington?
Child custody laws focus on RCW 26, which covers domestic relations, separation, child support, and related things. These laws generally state:
- The most important factor in custody is the child’s best interests
- Judges must consider a parent’s ability to provide for the child
- Maintaining a stable relationship with the child is preferable
- Washington law usually refers to custody and visitation rights collectively as “parenting plans”
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?
The actual price of hiring a lawyer varies based on several factors, including how complex the case is and how much time you need to spend negotiating parenting plans. Simpler cases usually cost less than $5000, and some are less than $1000.
However, no attorney can estimate a price for you before learning more about your specific situation. If you want to know the most likely price range for your case, ask for a free consultation from Skyview Law today.
If hiring a lawyer doesn’t work for your budget, you may be eligible for free or reduced-cost legal help. Our team can help connect you with other services that can meet your needs, so don’t hesitate to contact Skyview Law today and ask for help.
Client Testimonials About Our Child Custody Law Firm
Testimonials
How Our Child Custody Attorney Services Work
When you work with Skyview Law, we’ll start by evaluating your unique situation and needs. Factors like your ability to provide for children, where you live, and prior experience working with children can affect your ability to gain or retain custody of children.
Once we know more about your situation, we’ll come up with a plan to help maximize the chance you can receive the custody arrangements you want. We also offer specialized support for other types of custody arrangements, including adoption processes.
Do You Need a Child Custody Attorney?
Is a child custody attorney near me the right choice? That’s a common question that people have, so let’s look at some of the reasons you might want to hire a lawyer.
You Want A Plan The Court Will Accept
Some people broadly agree on the details of a parenting plan and just need help writing it down in a way that the court will accept. A child custody lawyer can help you create the plan and make sure that all the details are what you think you’re agreeing to.
You Disagree With The Other Parent
If you have serious disagreements with the other parent, a child custody lawyer can help you negotiate and resolve your differences. Even if you can’t come to an agreement, courts are likely to look more favorably on you if you make a serious attempt to resolve your differences before asking a judge to settle them for you.
You’re Busy
Dealing with child custody arrangements can take time, and you may not be able to spare as much time for that as you want. An experienced attorney can significantly reduce the amount of time you need to spend on the case, freeing you up to focus on other matters.
Remember, being busy isn’t necessarily a problem in these cases. If you’re working hard to keep a job that can help you provide for children while you have custody of them, courts often look favorably on that.
Your Case Is Complicated
Many child custody cases are complicated, but some take it to a completely different level.
For example, if one parent lives in another country, courts will have to address things like jurisdictional issues and figure out who can make decisions. In cases with multiple children, you may want separate parenting plans for each child, requiring far more negotiations than usual.
The more complicated a case is, the more likely you are to overlook something important that could have a significant impact on the final results. Skyview Law can address the specific elements of your case and help figure out the best way forward.
Other Locations Skyview Law Serves
Are you searching for a child custody lawyer near me? Skyview Law proudly serves the Kennewick and Yakima areas in Washington State, including the regions surrounding these cities.
…and surrounding areas
Speak with a Child Custody Attorney
You don't have to do it alone, discover how Skyview Law can help you in these difficult times
How Skyview Law Can Help You
Skyview Law handles family law in Kennewick and offers expertise relevant to your family’s situation. Skyview Law helps clients prepare and understand paperwork, provides support in the courtroom, and navigate challenging legal scenarios. Having competent legal aid can also increase the chance of positive outcomes in your case.
Legal Advocates
Court systems are complex, and it’s all too easy to feel intimidated. Having a lawyer by your side prevents you from being taken advantage of.
Reduce Stress
Dealing with family matters in court is often an emotional ordeal, and a lawyer will be able to explain everything that’s happening to put you at ease.
Fast Case Resolution
We save you time because we already know how to file documents properly, which minimizes paperwork slowdowns, and we get you on your way to fulfilling all the legal formalities required by the court.
Dodge Expensive Mistakes
Even non-lawyers know that legal proceedings require you to fill out lots of complicated forms correctly. Making a mistake on these forms can cost you time, as well as money. With a lawyer, you know the paperwork will be completed correctly the first time.
Understand Complicated Matters
Especially in divorce proceedings, unforeseen twists happen all the time. If you find yourself facing an unexpected complication, it’s in your best interest to have a lawyer who can help you navigate the situation.
Avoid Spousal Bullying
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for angry ex-spouses to threaten and intimidate you, but a lawyer will champion your cause and make sure you aren’t bullied into submission or silence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Parenting Plan?
What Is A Parenting Plan Modification?
Sometimes the agreed upon parenting plan requires particular modifications in a child’s life. Modifications can include visitations, parenting schedules, and child support. Modifications can be agreed upon by each parent, or the court can rule on the dispute. Addressing particular changes or challenges while drafting the plan can save time and money.
How Much Does It Cost To Modify A Parenting Plan?
How To File A Parenting Plan In Washington State?
A participant in legal matters such as child parentage, divorce, legal separation, parenting plan, or child custody modification can file in Washington State. You file the parenting plan like any court paper, such as a petition, motion, or response. The plan will then be served to the other parties. The exact process may differ depending on the court and county.
How Long Does A Temporary Parenting Plan Last In Washington State?
A judge can issue a temporary custody order for special situations, such as deployed military causing a move of substantial distance. That type of temporary custody orders end after 10 days, providing any required notice to the child’s temporary caretaker. Temporary parenting plans can be modified by emergency hearings or judge motions. Other temporary parenting plans may also be put into place for longer terms, up to trial in some matters.
About Skyview Law
Jarrod Hays is the founder of Skyview Law. He graduated from Northwestern School of Law in 2008 and opened his practice shortly after that. Since then, Mr. Hays has served the Tri-Cities community faithfully across a range of practice areas. He is a seasoned attorney with ample experience in family law, probate, divorce, child custody, and everything in between.
Mr. Hays is a member of the American Institute of Legal Counsel, as well as several legal groups. He was rated as one of the 10 best attorneys under 40 for client satisfaction in Washington state.
Why work with Skyview law?
Excellent Customer Service
Convenient
location
+10 years
of experience
